Holidaymakers start returning to capital

Holidaymakers have started to return to Dhaka after celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr with their near and dear ones at their hometowns.

Moderate crowds were seen at Kamalapur Railway Station and bus and launch terminals in the capital yesterday, as offices are set to resume from today.

All but three trains reached Kamalapur Railway Station on time yesterday bringing back passengers from different parts of the country, Shitangshu Chakraborty, acting station manager of the station, told The Daily Star.

Sadarghat was quite busy yesterday, as 75 launches anchored there till 11am, said Alamgir Kabir, joint director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA). Another 10-15 launches were scheduled to arrive at the launch terminal during the day, he added.

Many water vessels were seen plying the important naval routes of Shimulia-Kathalbari and Paturia-Daulatdia, report our local correspondents.

From Shimulia point, ferries started almost empty but were seen returning from Kathalbari packed with vehicles, according to our Munshiganj correspondent.

A total of 18 ferries are operating on the route to transport people. “That is why, there was no traffic congestion at the terminals on both the sides yet,” said Nasir Mohammad Chowdhury, assistant general manager (AGM) of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) at Shimulia point.

“We are working to help people reach the other sides safely,” the AGM added.

On the other hand, increasing pressure on both Daulatdia point at Rajbari and Paturia point at Manikganj was noticed since morning.

In total, 20 ferries were operating on the route to deal with vehicles carrying returning holidaymakers and make their journeys smooth, said Shafikul Islam, manager of BIWTC at Daulatdia office.