Dhaka is witnessing a return to its usual liveliness as holidaymakers make their way back to the capital after enjoying nearly five days of Eid-ul-Fitr and Pohela Boishakh celebrations.
Railway stations, bus terminals, and launch ghats are bustling with huge crowds of holidaymakers returning to the city after spending time with their loved ones during the festive period.
The government-declared five-day Eid-ul-Fitr holiday, coupled with the Shab-e-Qadar holiday and the preceding weekend, provided many with an extended break, leading to an extended absence from the city.
With public and private offices, courts, banks, and financial institutions reopening after the holidays, individuals are rushing back to Dhaka from various districts to resume their work commitments.
Railways, considered a safe mode of transport, are experiencing overcrowding, with Kamalapur railway station witnessing a surge of passengers. Throughout Monday, twenty inter-district and local trains arrived at Kamalapur station from across the country, all packed with travelers eager to return to Dhaka. Many passengers, like bank officer Ajmal Hossain, expressed a sense of urgency to get back to work after enjoying a rare extended vacation with family.
While some passengers lamented the end of the holidays, others, like Fahmida Hamim, were motivated to return promptly due to upcoming academic commitments.
Despite the crowded trains, some disruptions to the schedule were reported, causing inconvenience to passengers. However, most trains managed to arrive in Dhaka on time.
At the Gabtali bus terminal, long-distance buses were filled with people returning from Eid celebrations. Although the journey back to Dhaka was relatively smooth with no major traffic jams, passengers encountered difficulties upon disembarking, with some bus drivers demanding extra fares and refusing to use the meter.
Despite these challenges, Dhaka is gradually returning to its vibrant state as residents come back to the city, marking the end of the festive season.
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