Despite the heat, vehicle shortages, and increased bus fares, there has been a surge of people heading home for Eid-ul-Azha, enduring hardship to share the joy of Eid with their loved ones.
Crowds have been observed on the highways near Dhaka, and many northbound passengers are risking their lives by journeying home on open trucks or pickups. Despite police directives, risky Eid journeys continue.
Trucks carrying cattle are entering Dhaka from various regions to meet the demand for sacrificial animals. Many passengers are travelling in these trucks to avoid the high fares on passenger transports. Women and children have also been seen boarding these vehicles.
On Friday, from the morning, it was observed at various bus stands on the Dhaka-Aricha, Nabinagar-Chandra, and Baipail-Abdullahpur highways that trucks filled with cattle were entering Dhaka one after another. After unloading cattle at various cattle markets, men, women, and children board these trucks to return to their home districts.
With most garment factories in the industrial areas of Savar-Ashulia starting their holidays in the afternoon, the pressure on the roads increased.
A high number of passengers was observed at the Baipail bus stand. Due to high bus fares, several passengers opted to save costs by travelling on the roofs of buses or in trucks. Despite the risks, smiles were seen on the faces of these people out of their joy of going home.
Passengers have complained about being overcharged for bus tickets. According to passenger complaints, northbound buses from the Baipail bus stand in Ashulia have been charging an extra Tk300 to Tk400 per seat.
Minister: Number of cattle more than demand for Eid-ul-AzhaGarment worker Sumaiya Begum, travelling to Gaibandha by truck, said: "We left in the morning to go back to our village. We cannot even get bus tickets. The buses that leave charge double the fare. That is why we are going home by truck. It is hard, but we will be able to celebrate Eid with everyone."
Another passenger, Abdul Jalil, said: "The ticket counters stopped selling tickets two days ago. Even though it is hard, we must go home to share the joy of Eid with our families. We have been waiting long for transportation, and the fares for available vehicles have doubled. That is why we are going home by truck, knowing the risks, to save costs."
Truck driver Imon, carrying passengers to North Bengal, said: "I was bringing cattle to Dhaka from the area. After unloading the cattle at the market, I am returning with whatever I can get. It gives us some extra money. People board the truck on their own; we do not invite them. It is not our fault."
Meanwhile, despite police efforts to control traffic jams, there has been little police monitoring of passenger transportation by truck. After inspecting the roads in Savar yesterday, Shahabuddin Khan, additional IG of Highway Police, said that the police would maintain a strict stance on passenger transportation in open trucks.
