Ctg city streets serene with holidaymakers yet to return

Chittagong city still wore a deserted look yesterday with most of the holidaymakers who enjoyed Eid-ul-Fitr with their near and dear ones yet to return to the port city.
The city roads were almost bare with unusual serenity although the government holiday ended on Saturday.
Only a few public transports plied the streets and had to wait more than usual to get enough passengers to make a trip.
Nurul Alam, driver of a three-wheeler human hauler, said he was able to make two trips from Chawkbazar to Sholoshohor Number-2 Gate from the morning till 11:30am whereas in regular days he makes 10.
People who celebrated Eid in the city expressed relief at the emptiness. “I had a pleasant 15 minute ride from Halishahar to Probortak intersection by a CNG-run auto-rickshaw,” said Aminul Islam, a private service holder.
On a regular weekday, it takes nearly half an hour, he added.
Apart from some government officials and private service holders, many professionals are yet to return to their workplaces.
Many employees had taken an extended leave in advance against the backdrop of Jamaat-e-Islami's 48-hour countrywide hartal call from today, said official sources.
Presence of customers at banks and other financial institutions was also very nominal.
Nurus Safa, Chittagong regional manager of Standard Bank, said their branches were almost empty with a small number of clients coming in for small transactions.
Most shopping malls, roadside shops and eateries remained closed too.
Zakir Hossain Rubel, general secretary of Central Plaza Traders' Association, said the plaza would remain closed till Saturday. “Staff of the shops are enjoying an eight-day holiday since Eid day,” he added.
Educational institutions in the city also remained closed for the Eid vacation.