The mass exodus of the homebound people from Dhaka is expected to begin on Thursday as it is the last workday of government, semi-government and many private offices before the Eid-ul-Fitr.
Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of Muslims, will be celebrated either on Sunday or Monday subject to the sighting of the Shawal moon.
Experts and officials said the rush will reach its peak on Friday and Saturday as one-fourth of the total holidaymakers head for their native villages in the two days amid the worry of sufferings on the highways, train stations and launch and ferry terminals.
General Secretary of the National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways Ashish Kumar Dey said around 12.0 million people are expected to leave Dhaka and its adjoining areas during this Eid.
Out of them, more than 6.7 million people will leave Dhaka after April 27. He said, “Over 1.2 million people will head home alone on April 28 (Thursday), reports UNB.
Besides, Ashish Kumar Dey said, the remaining 5.5 million people will leave Dhaka between April 29 and May 1-2.
A major portion of the holidaymakers will go home by bus.
Ashish said the pressure of holidaymakers on the road is much higher this time than in the past. “The number of train passengers decreased by 5 per cent due to lack of railway’s capacity.”
Contacted, Superintendent of Police (SP- Highway) of Cumilla Md Rahmat Ullah said they have full preparation so that no traffic congestion occurs in Cumilla region on Dhaka-Chattragram highway specially Daudkandi to Teknaf during rush hour before Eid day.
SP (Highway- Gazipur) Ali Ahmed Khan said no serious traffic congestion may occur on six national highways--Dhaka-Tangail, Dhaka-Mymenshing, Dhaka-Aricha, Dhaka-Mawa and Dhaka-Sylhet highways-- under his jurisdiction.
He said the road conditions are very good while three flyovers on the Dhaka-Tangail highway were opened to traffic.
“The others parts of the national highways are also good. The situation is now better compared to anytime in the past. “We hope holidaymakers will reach their respective destinations without much hassle," the SP said.
He, however, said that homebound travellers may suffer in different ferry terminals, including Paturia-Daulatdia, Shimulia-Banglabazar, and Shimulia-Majhirkandi terminals.
Another official, however, holidaymakers may suffer on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, Dhaka-Tangail-Rangpur highway, and Elenga to Bangabandhu Bridge due to the heavy pressure of vehicles.