Exodus of holidaymakers from Thursday as millions set to head home

The mass exodus of the homebound people from the bustling capital Dhaka is expected to begin on Thursday as it is the last workday of government, semi-government and many private offices before the Eid-ul-Fitr.

Experts and officials said hundreds of thousands of city dwellers are set to rush towards their respective village homes on Thursday afternoon to celebrate the festival with their near and dear ones.

They, however, said the frenzied rush of home-goers will reach its peak on Friday and Saturday as one-fourth of the total holidaymakers to head for their native villages in the two days amid the worry of sufferings on the highways, train stations and launch and ferry terminals.

Meanwhile, some holidaymakers have already left the capital to avoid possible hassles while many have sent their families to village homes much ahead of the Eid vacation since the educational institutions remain closed.

Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of Muslims, will be celebrated either on Sunday or Monday subject to the sighting of the Shawal moon.

Talking to UNB, General Secretary of National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways Ashish Kumar Dey said around 1.20 crore people are expected to leave Dhaka and its adjoining areas during this Eid.

Of them, he said 55 per cent (66 lakh) will go home by road, 25 per cent (30 lakh) by water and 20 per cent (24 lakh) by trains.

Ashish said an estimated 65 lakh holidaymakers are supposed to leave Dhaka by road, waterway and rail in eight days in between April 20 to 28. “Over 12 lakh people will head home alone on April 28 (Thursday).

Besides, he said the remaining 55 lakh people will leave Dhaka in between April 29 and May 1-2.

Ashis said the pressure of holidaymakers on the road is much higher this time than in the past. “The number of train passengers decreased by 5 per cent due to lack of railway’s capacity.”

In the last four days ahead of Eid, he said 60 per cent (33 lakh) out of 55 lakh homebound people will go home by road. “The remaining 25% (13 lakh 75 thousand) and 15 per cent (8 lakh 25 thousand) people will go home by waterways and rail respectively.

A large portion of the 33 lakh road commuters will travel in various types of vehicles, including buses, private cars, microbuses, local buses, trucks, pickup vans and motorbikes.

As the number of different modes of vehicles, including unfit ones, will increase on the roads, Ashis said the rate of accidents may also increase this time.

Similarly, the launches will carry 5-6 times more passengers than their capacity.

Ashis said the condition of most of the rivers before the Eid may become risky with the possibility of nor’westers, strong current and gusty winds due to the influence of new moon as the passenger launch accidents in the country’s inland waterways happen at this time mainly for overloading of passengers, faulty vessels, risky competition, mismanagement and lack of trained, skilled and competent crews.

Contacted, Superintendent of Police (SP- Highway) of Cumilla Md Rahmat Ullah said they have full preparation so that no traffic congestion occurs in Cumilla region on Dhaka-Chattragram highway specially Daudkandi to Teknaf during rush hour before Eid day.

“We have already made special deployment on the highway from April 24 as part of  an initiative to avert traffic congestion. Besides, we have formed 15 Quick Response Team (QRT) and set up six sub-control rooms, “he said.

Rahmat said they have already evicted roadsides temporary bazars on the highway and permanent bazar will not run during the holidays before the Eid.

Replying to a question, he said there is no possibility of severe traffic congestions on Dhaka-Chattogram highway during the upcoming Eid vacations.

Contacted, SP (Highway- Gazipur) Ali Ahmed Khan said no serious traffic congestion may occur on six national highways--Dhaka-Tangail,   Dhaka-Mymenshing, Dhaka-Aricha, Dhaka-Mawa and Dhaka-Sylhet highways-- under his jurisdiction.

He said the road conditions are very good while three flyovers on Dhaka-Tangail highway were opened to traffic.

“The others parts of the national highways are also good. The situation is now better compared to anytime in the past. “We hope holidaymakers will reach their respective destinations without much hassle," the SP said.

He, however, said that homebound travellers may suffer in different ferry terminals, including Paturia-Daulatdia, Shimulia-Banglabazar, Shimulia-Majhirkandi terminals.

Another official, however, holidaymakers may suffer on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, Dhaka-Tangail-Rangpur highway, Elenga to Bangabandhu Bridge due to the heavy pressure of vehicles.