Over 2 million people likely to leave Dhaka by waterways during Eid-ul-Azha

The number of passengers traveling via waterways from Dhaka during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha holiday is likely to be higher compared of Eid-ul Fitr, resulting in potential overcrowding, mismanagement, and hazards during the bustling travel period.

Private organizations, government agencies, and stakeholders in river transportation have voiced these apprehensions, reports UNB.

Over 2 million people from Dhaka and adjacent districts are expected to travel to coastal districts from Thursday to Sunday.

Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF) said, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, 2.25 million people from Dhaka region will go to various coastal districts including greater Barishal. 
But this time the Eid journey period is only four days and so, the pressure on waterway transports will be high, it said.

SCRF president Ashish Kumar Dey told UNB that the number of passengers on the waterway has decreased due to the Padma Bridge. But still the capacity to transport the passengers is inadequate, especially during Eid, he said.

With 90 launches set to carry such large number of one-way passengers within just four days, the potential for mismanagement and passenger discomfort, including overcrowding, looms large.
Eid-ul-Azha, one of the largest religious festivals of Muslims, will be celebrated across the country on June 17 (Monday).

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of the next week are public holidays for Eid. Before that, Thursday of this week is the last working day and Friday and Saturday are weekends.

People who want to celebrate the upcoming Eid with their near and dear ones in their hometowns are expected to start leaving Dhaka from Thursday.

According to the data of the National Committee to Protect Shipping, Road and Railway, 95 percent of Dhaka‍‍`s waterways passengers will use the Dhaka river port (Sadarghat river port).

A total of 180 launches will run from Sadarghat terminal under Eid special services. Out of those river transports, 90 will leave Dhaka, 90 will come to Dhaka from different places.

But it is not possible to transport a large number of one-way passengers smoothly with 90 launches in four days, it said.

President of the National Committee Mohammad Shaheed Mia said as there is pressure of excess passengers, there is also risk of accidents.
So all the authorities concerned should be more vigilant.

Joint Director (Port and Traffic) of BIWTA Alamgir Kabir said they have already taken all out preparation so that people who will travel to coastal districts from Dhaka by launches can reach their destinations safely.

Replying to a question, he said that all of launches are connected with the tower of Dhaka River port alongside also nearest port on way to destination. So if there is any cyclone alert during the journey they (Launch)will be instantly notified.

Alamgir Kabir, who is also in-charge of Dhaka River port, said that on the occasion of upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, BIWTC‍‍`s special steamer service will be operational.

Those steamer service will leave Dhaka River Port to Morelganj on June 13, 16 and 20 and leave Morelgonj on June 14, 18 and 22 to Dhaka.

Badiuzzaman Badal, Senior Vice-President of Bangladesh Inland Waterways Passenger Carrier Association, said they have full preparation to carry the homebound people to their respective destinations.

When asked about preparations for possible natural calamity during this Eid journey, he said that their launches are capable to run present weather condition.

“Besides, we get weather alert regularly from authorities concerned. So Eid holidaymakers can enjoy hassel-free journey, he hoped.