Some 10.7 million mobile users left Dhaka during the extended nine-day public holiday for Eid ul-Fitr, spanning from March 28 to April 3. This information, based on data from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), covers users of four major telecom operators—Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink and Teletalk. Faiz Ahmad Tayyab, special assistant to the chief adviser shared this data on his Facebook account. According to his post, during the holiday period, 10.7 million mobile users left Dhaka, while 4.4 million users entered the city. Due to the lack of precise data on how many individuals left Dhaka for other destinations, this estimate is based on the number of mobile users. Children and individuals who do not use mobile phones are excluded from this calculation, while those who use multiple SIM cards are included. The highest number of people left Dhaka on March 30, the day before Eid, with 2.39 million mobile users recorded as departing the capital. Between March 28 and 31, 7.75 million mobile users left Dhaka. Eid holiday ends; holidaymakers continue returning to workplaces  After Eid, a significant number of people continued to leave the city, with 2.99 million mobile users recorded as leaving Dhaka between April 1 and 3. As government offices, courts, and banks reopened on Sunday, April 6, many of those who had returned to their hometowns began returning to Dhaka. By this point, 4.44 million mobile users had reentered the capital, with a peak of 998,579 users returning last Friday. This data gives a clear indication of the massive movement of people within the country during the Eid festivities, highlighting the widespread migration to and from Dhaka during the holiday season.

Banks, insurance companies, non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), and stock markets across the country will reopen on Sunday following the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday. As per the Bangladesh Bank's directive, banking hours will be from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm from Sunday to Thursday as per pre-Ramadan schedule. Eid holiday ends; holidaymakers continue returning to workplaces  Meanwhile, office hours for insurance companies and NBFIs will be from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on working days. Trading on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) will take place between 10 am and 2:30 pm, followed by a 10-minute post-closing session.

The nine-day Eid holiday officially ends on Saturday though many holidaymakers returned to their workplaces a day or two earlier to avoid the crowds. On Friday, some bus stations in the capital including Gabtoli, Kalyanpur, Mohakhali, Sayedabad, Jatrabari, Kamalapur Railway Station, and Sadarghat Launch Terminal saw a moderate rush of people heading towards Dhaka. To avoid the last-minute rush and hassle, several chose to return before the holiday officially ended. Jubayer, a private-sector employee returning to Dhaka by bus from Feni with his family on Friday morning, said "I returned a day earlier as the last day would be crowded. There was no traffic gridlock on Dhaka-Chattogtram highway and the journey was comfortable." Transport owners said long holiday allowed people to travel with relatively less hassle both while going to and returning from the villages. Severe heat wave may hit Bangladesh this month: Met office On Saturday, the final day of the holiday, passenger pressure on roads and public transport could be higher than usual, they said. Although many have started returning to Dhaka the capital’s roads remain relatively empty, allowing its residents enjoy the congestion-free atmosphere. Public transport is also seeing fewer passengers than usual. However, personal cars, rickshaws, and motorcycles were seen around recreational spots and open spaces in the capital. Some residents, enjoying the holiday and lack of traffic, were seen touring different parts of the city. Motiur Rahman, a resident of Malibagh area who went out on Friday afternoon with his family in a private car, said, "I celebrated Eid in Dhaka. We are touring Dhaka to enjoy the holiday. If Dhaka were always this empty, people wouldn't feel so overwhelmed." The government had earlier approved a nine-day holiday for its employees—from 28 March to 5 April—to facilitate Eid celebrations. The homebound rush began on 26 March, with the country celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the most significant religious festivals for Muslims, on 31 March.

Khagrachhari is expected to witness a massive influx of tourists during the nine-day Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. Tourism entrepreneurs are hopeful about making good business with the surge in tourists. Uttam Kumar Majumder, manager of the Khagrachhari Tourism Motel, said, "A huge number of tourists will visit Khagrachhari during Eid this time. Most of the hotels and motels in the city have already been booked. We hope that if everything remains normal, business will be good during this Eid holidays." Dr Yunus offers Eid prayers at National Eidgah Industry insiders estimate that between 100,000 and 150,000 tourists will travel to Khagrachhari and Sajek during the nine days Eid vacation. Popular attractions such as the mysterious Alutila tunnel, the hanging bridge, Tareng, and the Richang waterfall are set to be bustling with visitors, much like previous years. Hotel and motel businesses are anticipating a significant rise in customers during the Eid season. To ensure the safety of tourists, dedicated tourist police will be deployed at all major attractions. As seen in previous years, tourism businesses are optimistic about an overwhelming number of visitors flocking to Khagrachhari during the Eid holidays. Nature enthusiasts and travel lovers are expected to head to the hills to explore the region’s mountains, forests, and waterfalls. While the district attracts tourists throughout the year, stakeholders believe the number will multiply several times during the Eid break. The district’s tourist spots are fully prepared to welcome visitors, with additional security measures already in place at key locations like Alutila. Zahidul Karim, Zone In-Charge of the Khagrachhari District Tourist Police, said, "The district tourist police are working to ensure the safety of incoming tourists. For additional security, our mobile team will conduct regular patrols in the tourist spots. Security has already been strengthened at all locations." Eid being celebrated in Barishal with solemnity, festivity With full preparations in place, Khagrachhari is gearing up for a vibrant and bustling tourism season this Eid.

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) on Friday called for heightened security measures during the extended Eid holidays to protect jewellery businesses from increasing thefts and robberies. At a press conference held at its New Eskaton Road office, BAJUS Vice President Riponul Hasan said there are a total of 40,000 jewellery establishments in the country. But, the recent surge in thefts and robberies targeting these businesses has created a serious sense of insecurity among jewellers. Ripon revealed that between January and 26 March, a total of 23 jewellery shops across the country have been robbed of or burgled, with Dhaka witnessing the highest number of incidents at 11. Other affected districts include Munshiganj, Sylhet, Cumilla, Khulna, and Habiganj. Jewellery shops see Eid sales decline amid soaring gold prices Given the current situation, jewellers fear that the risks may increase during the Eid holidays. Speaking at the press conference, victimised businessman M A Hannan Azad, proprietor of the jewellery shop Alankar, shared his terrifying experience. He said, "At around 5 am on 26 March, a group of 25-30 men attacked my house. They specifically targeted me. The way they broke through the gate and entered within just five to ten minutes suggests they were well-trained robbers. They even attempted to abduct me. After such an incident, it is only natural that we feel unsafe." BAJUS Acting President Gulzar Ahmed urged jewellers to take personal and institutional measures alongside government-provided security. He recommended installing CCTV cameras, increasing the number of security guards, and collaborating with market owners’ associations to determine how best to ensure enhanced security for jewellery establishments during the Eid holidays. Gold price increases by Tk 2,613 per bhori in Bangladesh BAJUS further demanded armed security personnel to guard jewellery shops and called for swift trials of those involved in thefts and robberies. The association warned that if the security situation does not improve, they will decide their next course of action after 15 April.

Import and export activities at Sonamasjid Land Port in Chapainawabganj will be suspended for eight consecutive days, from March 29 to April 5, to observe Eid-ul-Fitr. During this period, all trade activities between Bangladesh and India will come to a halt. However, passport-holding passengers will still be allowed to travel through the port's immigration checkpost without any restrictions. Payra Port nothing but a 'poisonous boil' for economy: Adviser Wahiduddin Ruhul Amin, secretary of the Sonamasjid Land Port C&F Agent Association, said that the suspension would include the regular weekly holiday, with operations resuming on April 6. Indian authorities at Mahadipur Land Port Customs, along with the C&F Agent and Exporters Associations, were officially notified about the closure. Meanwhile, at Hili Land Port in Dinajpur, trading activities will be suspended for nine days from March 29 to April 5, in observance of Eid-ul-Fitr. However, loading and unloading of goods within the port will continue on non-public holidays. Like Sonamasjid, passport-holding passengers will be able to pass through the Hili Immigration Checkpost as usual. Trading at Burimari port to be suspended for 8 days due to Eid Nazmul Hossain, general secretary of the Hili Land Port Import-Export Group, said that operations will resume on April 6. Both ports are expected to return to regular operations on the morning of April 6, following the Eid holidays.

The extended holidays for Eid-ul-Azha have come to an end, and the residents of the capital are starting to return to rejoin work. Having spent the holidays with loved ones, people have begun streaming back into Dhaka, marking the end of a brief period of tranquility in the bustling metropolis. From early morning today, Kamalapur Railway Station witnessed a significant crowd as city dwellers arrived back from their hometowns. Around ten million people had left Dhaka to celebrate Eid with their families, dramatically altering the usual busy atmosphere of the city. Read more: Eid journey was safe this time due to use of speed guns: Bangladesh Police Families, carrying luggage and gifts from their hometowns, were seen disembarking from trains and hailing rickshaws and CNG-run auto rickshaws to reach their destinations.

Dhaka's air quality was ‘moderate’ this morning (June 28, 2023) due to the ongoing rain. Besides, few vehicles on the street also contributed to improved air quality, as the Eid-ul-Azha holidays began on Tuesday. With an air quality index (AQI) score of 55 at 10:49 am, the densely populated capital city of Bangladesh ranked 40th in the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality. An AQI between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’ with an acceptable air quality. However, there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. With less traffic as Eid holidays begin, Dhaka's air quality 'moderate' this morning Dubai in UAE, Detroit and Chicago in the US occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 229, 205 and 174, respectively. An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups. Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. Dhaka's air quality 'moderate' this morning AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, is used by government agencies to inform people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. Dhaka's air quality 'moderate' this morning As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.  

Dhaka’s air quality has turned ‘moderate’ during Eid-ul-Fitr holidays as most of the residents left the capital for their respective village home to celebrate the religious festival. With an air quality index (AQI) score of 91 at 10.46 am, Dhaka today ranked 17th in the list of world cities with the worst air quality. An AQI between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’ with an acceptable air quality. However, there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Nepal’s Kathmandu, the United Arab Emirates’ Dubai and Myanmar’s Yangon occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 170, 160 and 140, respectively. Also read: Dhaka’s air quality still 'unhealthy', 5th most polluted in the world Friday morning An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups. Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

Prices of fish and vegetables have shot up in the kitchen markets of Khulna after Eid holidays, bringing a blow to people from middle and low income groups. The consumers alleged that every year after Eid, traders sell vegetables and fish at higher prices. Despite having enough supply, the prices have gone up, said some consumers who came to New Market in the city five days after Eid to buy vegetables and fish. However, vegetable traders in different markets of the city said that there is a shortage of vegetables in the market. In the city markets, pointed gourd, eggplant, ladies-finger, bitter gourd, papaya, colocasia stem and different spinaches are selling between Tk 50-60 per Kg while potatoes, carrots, green chilies and cucumbers between Tk 100-150 per kg. Read: Spice prices shoot up ahead of Eid despite sufficient stock Hilsas are selling between Tk 1000-1500 per kg while prawns and lobsters at Tk 700-1200 per kg. Hilsa trader Joynal said they collect fish from Khulna New Market. Hilsa  supply is low in the wholesale market as many fishermen did not go to the sea during EId. “So the prices seem a bit high.” Besides, rohita, katla, pangasea, tilapia, Bhetki, puti and tengra are selling between Tk 200-600 per kg. Imran, a buyer who came to Rupsha kitchen market, said that he came to the market to buy fish and vegetables after getting bored of eating meat since Eid and found the price of fish  very high. “Every year after Eid the market becomes unstable.” Sheikh Palash Hossain, president of the Wholesale Traders' Association, said the prices of vegetables  usually increase in the post-Eid time, which is normal. Besides, the supply of vegetables in the market is less due to Eid vacation, he said. “The prices of vegetables and fishe go up as their demand increases after Eid,” he added.