Eid travellers rush as ‘toughest lockdown ever’ begins Friday

The relaxation of stricter lockdown will come to an end on Thursday (July 22) midnight. The ‘toughest lockdown ever’ will be in place since early Friday.

Authorities have declared this phase of lockdown to be stricter than before. As a result the Eid travellers rushed to return to workplaces while Dhaka city dwellers are also leaving the city. The rush of commuters to and from Dhaka created severe pressure on river, road and railways.

Earlier on Wednesday, state minister for public administration urged all Eid travellers to stay at village as all offices will remain closed during the 2-week lockdown period.

Shimulia and Banglabazar

Mad rush of holidaymakers from 21 southern districts were seen at the Shimulia ferry ghat of Munsiganj and Banglabazar ghat of Madaripur.

Local sources said, thousands of commuters rush to the ferry terminals since 8am Thursday. They left Dhaka ahead of Eid-ul-Adha to celebrate the festival with friends and families.

Officials of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) said, “All modes of transport will be suspended from the third day of Eid-ul-Adha that prompted additional pressure of commuters at Shimulia ferry terminal. Safety protocols were hardly seen to maintain. All 14 ferries are moving across the river to manage the additional pressure of passengers and vehicles.”

Commuters were seen struggling to get onboard the ferries and launches at Banglabazar terminal of Madaripur to return capital Dhaka. Many risked taking a position on the ferry defying Covid-19 protocols. Within few minutes a ferry got loaded with the crowd of passengers, police said.

“Without a complete celebration of the Eid festival holidaymakers are returning back to Dhaka. Covid-19 safety measures are defied. Commuters crammed to get onboard the ferries,” Mawa naval police outpost in-charge Sirajul Kabir told The Report. 

Paturia-Doulatdia ghat

Commuters to and from Dhaka city were also rushed to Doulatdia ghat of Rajbari and Paturia of Manikganj. Keeping the Eid celebration incomplete holidaymakers of southern regions are returned Dhaka fearing being trapped amid the lockdown.

BIWTC Aricha zone official Zillur Rahman said, “Pressure of vehicles and passengers has increased at Douolatdia-Paturia ghat 2nd day after the Eid.”

“Pressure of Dhaka-bound long route buses, private cars, microbuses and commuters has mounted at Doulatdia point. Commuters are crossing the river to reach Dhaka and adjoining areas. As many as 17 ferries are moving to commute vehicles and passengers,” he said.