Dhaka, Apr 06 (V7N) – As Eid holidays wind down, thousands of people from the southern districts of Barisal, Patuakhali, Bhola and surrounding areas have begun returning to the capital. Launches packed with holidaymakers started arriving at Sadarghat Launch Terminal early Sunday morning, bringing with them not only tired passengers but also a wave of frustration.

While most passengers reported a comfortable and timely journey by launch, the situation changed drastically once they disembarked. The massive influx of travelers led to a transport crisis in and around Sadarghat, creating traffic jams and allowing transport operators to charge exorbitant fares.

"Coming to Dhaka on the launch was quite smooth," said a passenger from Barisal. "But after getting off, we couldn’t find any transport. And when we did, they asked for triple the usual fare."

Passengers heading to areas like Savar and Gazipur faced the brunt of this exploitation. Rickshaws and autorickshaws were reportedly charging nearly double, while bus fares jumped from the regular Tk 60–80 to as high as Tk 150–200.

Despite the complaints, bus drivers and helpers denied the allegations, insisting the rates were within acceptable limits due to the post-holiday rush. But passengers said otherwise, accusing transport workers of taking advantage of the situation.

Members of law enforcement were seen trying to manage the crowd and ease the congestion around Sadarghat, Roy Saheb Bazar, and the Lower Court area. However, they acknowledged that controlling fare hikes is beyond their authority, as they lack the mechanism to regulate private transport fares on the spot.

One police officer on duty said, “We are doing our best to maintain order and manage the heavy crowd, but controlling the fares is difficult without cooperation from transport authorities.”

This recurring post-Eid ordeal has once again highlighted the lack of coordination between transport authorities and law enforcement, as well as the absence of fare monitoring systems during national holidays.

Commuters urged the government to implement temporary price control measures and increase transport availability in key return routes following major festivals to reduce suffering for returning city dwellers.

Until then, Eid’s joy continues to be dimmed by the exhausting reality of unregulated urban transit chaos.

END/MSS/AJ