Eid holidaymakers start flocking back
Bus, railway and launch terminals were bustling with the influx of people into the city yesterday as holidaymakers are flocking back to the capital after spending Eid with their loved ones.
Although more vehicles are plying the roads, the capital is yet to reclaim its usual look, as many non-government organisations and business institutions remained closed till yesterday.
“My office reopens on Saturday but I returned today as I could not get tickets for Friday,” said Rafiqul Islam who had just reached Kamalapur Railway Station from Rangpur.
All the trains were crammed with passengers many of whom were seen perched precariously on the rooftops.
Meanwhile, bus operators are also struggling to cope with the huge number of passengers moving towards the capital.
"Around 500 buses of our company plied the highways yesterday. But all those tickets were booked earlier. We are compelled to refuse seats to hundreds of passengers queuing up to our counters," said Romesh Chandra Ghosh, managing director of Shyamoli Paribahan.
Men, women and children were seen traveling on the roofs and engine-lids of buses overflowing with passengers.
"I could not get hold of a single ticket though I tried very hard. That's why I had to travel atop the engine-lid," said Kamrul Islam, who just got to Kalyanpur from Bogra.
Over 50 launches arrived at city's Sadarghat Launch Terminal from the southern districts yesterday.
"Each launch carried around 1,700 passengers. The rush will double from today and will continue till Monday," a terminal official said.
Most of the city's shops remained closed and those, which opened had comparatively much less sale than usual.
"My staff have gone to the village to celebrate Eid and won't return before Saturday," said Moinul Islam, owner of a stationery shop at Chankharpool.
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