The Gabtoli bus terminal has been experiencing a huge crowd from thursday as a large number of people started returning to Dhaka fearing further shutdowns and delays.
The 48-hour hartal called by Jamaat-e-Islam became an issue for Eid holidaymakers as they had to reschedule their return trip.As a result, passengers do not want to take any further risks. People are returning to the capital from different districts of the country.
Especially, Dhaka-bound passenger buses from North Bengal have been carrying extra passengers. People has been risking their lives by travelling on the roof of the vehicles, reports banglanews.
Taslima Khatun, who came from Jaypurhat thursday, said: “I failed to manage a return ticket. So, I came to Dhaka by traveling on the roof of the bus.”
Another passenger Rebeka Sultana said: “Classes in schools have already begun from August 13. But, my children cannot attend classes immediately after a long journey. So, we came back to Dhaka although there is a holiday on Friday.”
Hundreds of passengers got stuck at the Aricha ferry ghat due to 5-hour long tailbacks.
Farzana Priya, a student of the city’s Daffodil University, said: “I reached the ferry ghat from Khulna at around 2am. I was struck in the massive traffic gridlock for five hours.”
She added, “My semester final will begin on August 17, so I had to return to Dhaka early.” Luckily for some, no problems were faced while returning as the roads were free of traffic.
Tumpa Akhter, who came from Gobindaganj upazila in Gaibandha, said: “I enjoyed my Eid vacation with family. I came back to the capital without any trouble as the roads were free.”
However, the hartal meant people had to suffer from a lack of transport in the capital. Many people reached their destination by walking for hours. Moreover, CNG auto-rickshaw drivers and rickshaw pullers charged higher fares.
Faysal, a student of Dhaka Polytechnic Institute, said: “Rickshaw pullers have been charging Tk170 for a trip from Gabtoli to Mohammadpur.”
Provat, counter master of Shyamoli Paribahan, said: “Passengers are returning to Dhaka in a hurry as their vacation is over.”
A great number of passengers would throng terminals till Saturday, he added.
