Even on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha, the usually crowded Sadarghat launch terminal wore a calm look on Wednesday, with little of the familiar last-minute passenger rush seen at the capital’s main river port.
During a visit to the terminal on Wednesday afternoon, areas along the pontoons that are typically packed with homebound passengers appeared relatively empty.
Officials of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), launch operators and passengers said most travellers had already left Dhaka earlier this week after the Eid holidays began, significantly reducing pressure at the terminal.
Many passengers also opted for road transport instead of waterways due to adverse weather conditions, they added.
Several passengers arriving at Sadarghat expressed surprise at the lack of crowds.
BIWTA Boarding Serang Nuruzzaman Sumon said passenger pressure usually declines on the day before Eid as many people leave for their village homes immediately after getting holidays.
“As government and private offices began holidays several days ago, most people have already left Dhaka. Those travelling now could not leave earlier due to urgent work,” he said.
According to him, 49 passenger launches left Sadarghat between Wednesday morning and 2pm, while another 36 launches were scheduled to depart by 10pm.
Md Ripon Gharami, supervisor of the MV Manik-5 launch, said many passengers were avoiding launch travel because of stormy and rainy weather.
“Many are choosing road transport instead,” he said.
An official of the MV Samrat-7 launch said some passengers were still travelling, but the pressure was far lower than in previous years.
“At this time, passenger numbers are usually much higher. Most people who planned to travel have already left,” he said.
Passengers also described their journeys as comparatively smooth and comfortable.
Shiuli Begum, who was travelling to Barguna, said she was surprised to see the terminal so empty.
“Everything is empty. This time I’ll be able to return home comfortably,” she said.
Mohon Mia, a passenger heading to Bhola, said he faced no difficulties reaching the terminal.
“The roads are empty, and there’s not much crowd on the launch either,” he added.
However, a different picture was seen on the Betua, Hatiya and Monpura routes, where passengers were waiting at the terminal after launches failed to arrive on schedule.
Sharmin Akter, who was travelling to Monpura, said she reached Sadarghat from Gazipur at around 11am but did not find any launch at the terminal.
“Later I was informed that the launch was on its way,” she said.
Sharmin added that she was returning home after two years as her garment factory had closed on Tuesday ahead of Eid.
“Instead of travelling at night with my children, I started the journey in the morning,” she added.
