Eid Return Rush Builds as Thousands Head Back to Dhaka Early
Photo: Agamir Somoy
The flow of people heading back to the capital city has begun even before the Eid holiday officially ends. Although the government holiday is still ongoing, several private institutions across the country are set to reopen from tomorrow. As a result, thousands of workers from the southern region have started returning to Dhaka.
On Saturday, traffic pressure on the Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway increased significantly from the morning. At the same time, bus terminals and roadside waiting areas witnessed heavy overcrowding.
In Madaripur’s Shibchar area and along key stops on the expressway, long-distance buses from Barishal, Patuakhali, Bhola, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Faridpur, and Gopalganj were seen packed with passengers heading toward the capital. Many travelers were forced to stand throughout long journeys due to a lack of seats. Similar scenes were reported in local transport services as well.
At key entry points to the southern region, including Bhanga, Surjanagar, Pachchar, and Naodoba, long queues of passengers were seen from the morning. People from nearby villages arrived in groups using easy-bikes, vans, Mahindra vehicles, CNGs, and other three-wheelers, waiting beside highways for buses. This has also created additional pressure on the local transport system.
Passengers have alleged that some transport operators are charging higher fares than the official rates, taking advantage of the post-Eid rush. Complaints of excessive fares have particularly been raised against several services on the Bhanga-Dhaka and Shibchar-Dhaka routes.
At Surjanagar stop, passenger Reba Akhter said there was heavy crowding from the morning. Almost every bus arriving from Bhanga was full. Despite long waits, she could not find a seat and had to travel under difficult conditions.
At Pachchar roundabout, passenger Md. Rubel Mia said he works at a private organization and was returning to Dhaka early as his leave was coming to an end. He left his family behind at home for the time being. He said that although he did not want to leave after spending a few days with family, work obligations forced him to return. He added that finding an empty seat on buses has become extremely difficult due to the heavy passenger load.
Officials said that the pressure of returning passengers to the capital is a regular feature after Eid-ul-Azha holidays every year. This year is no exception. After celebrating Eid with family members, working people are gradually heading back to Dhaka and other workplaces. The pressure is expected to increase further in the coming days.
Shibchar Highway Police Officer-in-Charge Mizanur Rahman said traffic pressure on highways will continue for several days after the Eid holiday. He noted that congestion has increased since Saturday morning and may rise further over the next two to three days. Additional police have been deployed at key points of the expressway to maintain order. Highway police are working continuously to manage traffic, control speeding, and ensure passenger safety, along with additional patrol teams in the field.
However, passengers have demanded stricter action to stop overcharging after Eid, ensure adequate transport availability, and improve the quality of passenger services. They also urged coordinated efforts from authorities, transport owners, and drivers to ensure a safe and comfortable journey.
According to officials, the flow of returning passengers to the capital is expected to continue for the next several days, and traffic pressure on the Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway and connecting highways in the southern region is likely to increase further.
