The usual hustle and bustle of Dhaka has significantly decreased, with empty streets across the city.
Despite expectations of large crowds at bus terminals, railway stations, and launch ghats due to Eid-ul-Fitr on Monday, the scene has changed. The streets are nearly empty, with no traffic jams or street vendors, and the usual noise from vehicles is absent, leaving traffic police idle.
From 9am to 11am on Sunday, streets such as Jatrabari, Paltan, Shahbagh, Elephant Road, Newmarket, Kalabagan, Dhanmondi, Shyamoli, and Agargaon were observed to be free of traffic, with no congestion in the city.
People are rushing home to share the joy of Eid with their loved ones, and to ensure smooth travel for homeward-bound citizens, members of the army are deployed on highways.
This deployment has ensured that people can reach their destinations without any hassle or traffic jams. Additionally, the police and the administration, along with the army, are on high alert to handle any potential situation.
Upon visiting the city, it’s clear that Dhaka is quieter than usual. There are no long queues at public transportation stations, no traffic jams, and not many people on the streets.
Most public buses within the city have empty seats. Bus staff are taking advantage of the quiet by collecting extra fares, asking for an additional Tk10 from passengers as Eid tips, even though this amount is beyond the regular fare.
Traffic police, relieved from their usual pressure due to the light traffic, seem content with the quieter roads. The absence of vehicles and the lack of congestion are making the police officers’ duties less stressful.
The National Moon Sighting Committee has confirmed that Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Monday, as the Shawwal moon has been sighted.
Government employees will enjoy a nine-day holiday due to Eid. The government had already declared a five-day holiday, and on March 3, 2024, an executive order extended the holiday to April 3.
Therefore, the government employees will have continuous leave from March 28 to April 5, 2024. As a result, Eid’s official leave starts from March 29, with an additional executive order extending it further. The holiday period will continue until April 5, including the regular weekly off days.
As the city empties during the Eid holidays, there are concerns about an increase in thefts, robberies, and muggings. People travelling home could fall victim to various scams and crimes.
On March 26, a robbery incident in Dhaka's Dhanmondi area, where criminals posed as law enforcement officers, has raised alarms. To address these concerns, law enforcement agencies are prepared to ensure maximum security during Eid.
To maintain law and order, a large number of police officers will be deployed across the capital and the country. The IGP has issued guidelines to ensure strict security measures.
In addition to the police, members of the RAB, BGB, and Ansar forces will also be on duty. Security measures include increased patrols, placement of more than 700 checkpoints in the capital, and the installation of CCTV cameras at key locations.
When asked, Shahjahan Mia, a traffic constable at the Gulistan Sergeant Ahad Police Box, said: "People have already gone home. The few remaining ones are also leaving. So, there’s less traffic, and we don't have signals. It’s a quieter time for us."
He also pointed out that such peaceful times only occur during the two Eid holidays, and the rest of the year requires officers to work under various risks.
This Eid, for the first time, 431 auxiliary police officers will be deployed alongside regular police forces for the capital’s security.
These officers have been recruited from private organizations and local security personnel, and they have the authority to make arrests, though they cannot conduct investigations.
RAB has also strengthened its security measures. According to their law and media department, intelligence operations and patrols have been enhanced, and both uniformed and plainclothes RAB officers will be active during this period.
Meanwhile, Makbul Hossain, a helper of the Thikana bus at Kalabagan bus stand, said: "I won’t go home for Eid. I’ll be doing extra duty. Since there are fewer passengers, and the roads are empty, it will take less time to reach the destination.”
He added: “I’m making more trips and collecting additional Tk5-10 as Eid tips from passengers, which is boosting my earnings."
Ilyas Hossain, a passenger travelling from Narayanganj to Gabtoli, said: "The fare is Tk50, but the driver asked for an additional Tk10 as an Eid tip. Since there’s no traffic, we will reach our destination quickly, and we are happy with that."
