With Eid-ul-Azha approaching, the capital city of Dhaka is rapidly emptying as people leave to celebrate the holiday with their families.
The usual hustle and bustle of the city has significantly diminished, with roads that are typically congested now appearing calm and quiet.
Both public and private sector employees are enjoying an extended 10-day holiday, prompting a mass exodus that began on Wednesday and continued into Thursday. As a result, Dhaka’s streets and neighborhoods are noticeably less crowded.
Areas such as Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Farmgate, Bijoy Sarani, Karwan Bazar, Banglamotor, Shahbagh, Press Club, Paltan, Motijheel, and Kamalapur are seeing far fewer people and vehicles compared to regular weekdays.
Public transportation is operating with fewer passengers, and many buses are running nearly empty.
While traffic has eased across most of the capital, certain zones—particularly those near cattle markets or major bus terminals—are experiencing localized congestion due to increased movement of people and goods.
In the absence of heavy traffic, battery-powered auto-rickshaws and traditional rickshaws are more visible on the roads. Drivers report that they are now able to use all types of streets without restrictions. Some rickshaw pullers also noted that passengers are more generous with fares during the Eid season.
Travel times across the city have been greatly reduced. Routes that would typically take double or even triple the time are now passable in much shorter durations, allowing those still in the city to reach their destinations more quickly and conveniently.
Transport companies report that nearly half of their fleet is currently operating intercity routes, mainly toward northern districts, in response to the high demand from homebound passengers. Many have also deployed additional buses to accommodate the rush.
One driver en route from Mirpur to Jatrabari said that while passenger numbers are low within the city, the clear roads allow for faster and more efficient travel.
Authorities have also ramped up security measures across the country ahead of the Eid holiday. A three-phase security plan has been implemented—covering the pre-Eid, Eid day, and post-Eid periods—to ensure public safety and smooth transportation during this peak travel season.
As the holiday begins in full swing, Dhaka continues to grow quieter, signaling the city`s transformation during one of the most significant festivals of the year.
