After celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr with their loved ones, people who had traveled to their villages are beginning to return to the capital Dhaka. Since Wednesday morning (April 2), noticeable crowds have been observed at two of Dhaka's main entry points: Jatrabari and Sayedabad.
On the other hand, many people are still leaving the capital today. A crowd of people heading out of Dhaka has been seen at Jatrabari and Sayedabad areas as well.
Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival of Muslims, was celebrated on Monday (March 31) across the country.
Bus owners and workers mentioned that since Wednesday morning, people who had gone to villages to celebrate Eid have started returning to the capital. This trend is expected to continue over the next few days.
With passengers returning, some buses are leaving Dhaka with fewer passengers, according to bus operators.
Long-distance buses coming to Dhaka from routes such as the Dhaka-Chittagong highway, Dhaka-Sylhet highway, and Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway are dropping off passengers at Jatrabari and Sayedabad. Passengers are alighting at various nearby stops, including Signboard, Medical, Rayerbagh, Shonir Akhra, Kajla, Demra, Konapara, Jurain, and Dolaipar.
Passengers mentioned that private sector employees, businesspeople, and people from other professions have started returning to the capital. Apart from paying the extra fare, they have not faced many difficulties in returning to Dhaka.
At around 9 am, Shariful Islam, traveling with his family, got off the bus at the Sayedabad Jonpath intersection. He said, "I had gone to my village to celebrate Eid with my parents. I work in the marketing department of a consumer goods supplying company. My office is opening tomorrow, so I had to return today."
He further mentioned, "There wasn’t much of a problem while coming. My home is in Khilgaon, but the auto-rickshaw is asking for an extra fare."
Meanwhile, many people are still leaving the capital today. A crowd of passengers has been observed at various bus company counters at Jatrabari Chourasta and Sayedabad Jonpath intersections.