Following the Akheri Munajat or concluding prayers, the people who returned from Ijtema have suffered greatly due to the public transport crisis and complained that extra fares were being charged.
Not getting a bus, many people left in pickups and trucks. The worshipers have started returning from Tongi's Biswa Ijtema ground after praying for the forgiveness of their sins.
The rush of worshippers to return increased from 10:30am on Sunday. Many of them started for their home on foot, train or waterways.
Abdul Mannan, a worshiper who was walking on the road, said that he came to the Biswa Ijtema ground from Nakla in Sherpur on Thursday. However, there was no place in the Ijtema ground.
“Although it was a lot of trouble, I was able to participate in the final prayer, so I am happy,” he added.
Humayun Kabir, who boarded Alam Asia Paribahan, said that the fixed fare is Tk120 but it was charged Tk250.
He said that many people were losing interest in coming to Ijtema because of the extra fare.
Alam Asia Paribahan driver Jasim Uddin said that this would be the only trip of the day. So, if they do not charge high fare, they would have nothing left after depositing money to the owner.
Safiqul Islam, a passenger from Sakhipur area of Tangail at Chandana intersection in Joydebpur, complained that the regular fare from Chandana was Tk60, however, the transport workers were asking Tk120.
Humayun Kabir, an official of a clothing factory, complained that Takwa Paribahan going to Konabari is charging a fare of Tk60 instead of Tk20. Nadir Parvez, another passenger going to Kaliakor, made the same complaint.
Alkash Miah, a worshiper who chose the boat route, said: “I can't walk. I am very old. So, I left by boat. I will take another vehicle after reaching Ashulia.”
Musalli Abu Saeed of Bogar Bazar area of Trishal, Mymensingh complained that pickup and three-wheeler drivers were taking advantage of the opportunity to charge more fares which was not fair.
Nasumuddin of Pythor village of Gafargaon upazila at Tongi railway station said: “After a lot of difficulty, I managed to come to the Akheri Munajat. Returning is turning out to be even more difficult.”
Driver Jasim Uddin in National University area of Gazipur said: “Once I go, I can't come back. It will take at least 4-5 hours to reach Mymensingh. As such, Tk150-200 is not much.”
Meanwhile, pickups, three-wheelers had taken over the highway as traffic on the highway had come to a standstill due to road closure for Ijtema. It had been alleged that the fare is being charged from Tk100-120 per person from Joydebpur Chowrasta to Mauna Chowrasta in Sreepur while the fare of this route is Tk50.
Alamgir Hossain, deputy commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) traffic department said: “We have not received any complaint of overcharging. If this is the case then we will immediately talk to the transport authorities about charging the fixed fare from the pilgrims who are returning from Ijtema.”
