Dhaka, Mar 19 (V7N) – The rush of homebound travelers from the capital has intensified ahead of Eid, with thousands leaving Dhaka by road, rail, and waterways since early Thursday morning to celebrate the festival with their families.

At Gabtoli Bus Terminal, long-distance buses were seen departing largely on schedule, bringing some relief to passengers. However, several travelers অভিযোগ that some operators are charging fares above the fixed rates, a claim denied by transport authorities. Operators, meanwhile, reported difficulties in securing fuel, saying they had to spend long hours moving between filling stations.

On major highways, heavy pressure from passengers has led to transport shortages, forcing many to wait for hours. Some travelers, unable to find buses or cope with higher fares, have resorted to traveling in trucks and pickup vans with their families. A traffic congestion of several kilometers was reported around Chandra intersection in Gazipur, partly due to roadside passenger pickups and weak traffic management, according to passengers.

At Kamalapur Railway Station, there was a surge in passenger numbers since early morning. Except for the Nilsagar Express, most trains departed with delays of 10 to 15 minutes. At least seven trains left the station in the morning. With Eid just days away, many passengers were seen traveling without tickets or even on train roofs. Passengers on the Santahar route faced additional परेशানি following a recent train accident, although authorities are arranging transshipment services.

Meanwhile, Sadarghat Launch Terminal witnessed an overwhelming crowd of passengers heading to southern districts. As soon as launches docked, passengers rushed to board. Despite a recent accident, many travelers showed little concern for safety warnings. Launches are departing only after reaching full capacity.

Passengers said that despite the challenges, the joy of celebrating Eid with loved ones outweighs the hardship. Many also noted that favorable weather has made river travel relatively comfortable, though opinions remain mixed regarding fares.

Authorities have deployed law enforcement personnel across transport hubs to manage the situation, but the pressure is expected to continue until the final days before Eid.

END/SMA/AJ