Traffic jam in the Dhaka city is a common scenario. But ahead of Eid-ul Fitr, the city residents are enjoying some kind of relief in absence of nagging traffic congestion, and for mass exodus to celebrate Eid at homes.
Many city residents said, there was no pressure of transports on Saturday on the city roads. Yet they had to pay increased bus fare for going to one place from another.
Ahmed Reza Humayun, a resident of Mohammadur said, it did not take more an hour to reach Mirpur from Gulistan. “Surely it will be a very nice thing if this continues throughout the year,” he said.
The Eid-ul Fitr is likely to be held on June 26 or 27 depending on the sighting of the moon. Schools and colleges were closed about a week ago, while the government offices and several business houses passed last working day on Thursday.
It is estimated that around seven to eight million people of the mega-city are leaving for their homes to celebrate Eid with their near and dear ones.
While visiting different areas, this correspondence did not find any crowd or traffic jam in the city streets. The railway stations stations, bus and launch terminals, however, witnessed weighty presence of home bound passengers.
Expressing deep satisfaction, Jhorna Begum, who was
waiting for bus at Fakirapool said, I can take now fresh air from the horizon. It is apparently an unknown gesture, clean and free.
Interestingly, super markets and shopping malls, and groceries were seen bit crowded with buyers for their last minute shopping. Those of the shoppers, who did not go to the markets earlier fearing excessive crowds, were seen roaming around the malls to buy their cloths.
Availing the opportunity, rickshaw and auto-rickshaw drivers have started to raise the fare. “I have to wait for a long time for passengers due to Eid holiday. So, I charged a little bit extra fare,” said Hossain Mia, a rickshaw puller from Mirpur said.
Meanwhile, the law enforcement agencies have taken massive security measures to ensure safety of people and properties in the capital during Eid holidays. The police and RAB have increased the number of patrol parties also, including foot patrol.
