Holidaymakers return to Dhaka after seven-day Eid holidays

With the seven-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday drawing to a close on Sunday, thousands of residents have begun their journey back to the capital ahead of the working week. On Monday, government and private offices, along with banks, financial institutions, and the courts, will reopen.

Many holidaymakers have chosen to travel slightly earlier than strictly necessary to avoid the notorious last-minute rush. Major transport hubs across the city, including Kamalapur Railway Station and the Sadarghat Launch Terminal, alongside key bus stations such as Gabtoli, Kalyanpur, Mohakhali, Sayedabad, and Jatrabari, have witnessed a steady but moderate flow of arriving passengers.

For those travelling on Sunday, the journey was largely free of the usual holiday congestion. Nazmul Hossain, a private-sector employee, noted the favourable conditions while returning to Dhaka by bus from Chandpur with his family. Hossain explained that he travelled a bit early to avoid the peak rush, adding that the Dhaka-Chattogram highway was clear of traffic gridlock, making for a highly comfortable journey.

Transport operators have confirmed that the generous length of this year’s Eid break is allowing people to return from their rural hometowns with far less hassle than in previous years. Because the holiday was relatively long, many individuals opted to take additional annual leave to extend their stay with family.

As a result, we expect the influx of returning residents to be gradual over the coming days. Bus owners report that vehicles arriving from various districts are not yet facing overwhelming passenger pressure, ensuring a smoother and safer transit network as normal business resumes across the capital.