The mass exodus of the homebound people from the bustling capital 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. Experts and officials said city dwellers in their thousands are set to rush towards their respective village homes on Thursday afternoon to celebrate the festival with their near and dear ones. Also read: Mad rush of homebound people at Shimulia ferry ghat They, however, said the frenzied rush of home-goers will reach its peak on Friday and Saturday as one-fourth of the total holidaymakers to head for their native villages in the two days amid the worry of sufferings on the highways, train stations and launch and ferry terminals. Meanwhile, some holidaymakers have already left the capital to avoid possible hassles while many have sent their families to village homes much ahead of the Eid vacation since the educational institutions remain closed. 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. Talking to UNB, General Secretary of National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways Ashish Kumar Dey said around 1.20 crore people are expected to leave Dhaka and its adjoining areas during this Eid. Of them, he said 55 per cent (66 lakh) will go home by road, 25 per cent (30 lakh) by waterways and 20 per cent (24 lakh) by trains. Ashish said an estimated 65 lakh holidaymakers are supposed to leave Dhaka by road, waterway and rail in eight days in between April 20 to 28. “Over 12 lakh people will head home alone on April 28 (Thursday). Besides, he said the remaining 55 lakh people will leave Dhaka in between April 29 and May 1-2. Ashis said the pressure of holidaymakers on the road is much higher this time than in the past as the Covid situation became normal during eid occasion after two years. “Besides, the number of train passengers decreased by 5 per cent due to lack of railway’s capacity.” In the last four days ahead of Eid, he said 60 per cent (33 lakh) out of 55 lakh homebound people will go home by road. “The remaining 25% (13 lakh 75 thousand) and 15 per cent (8 lakh 25 thousand) people will go home by waterways and railways respectively. A large portion of the 33 lakh road commuters will travel in various types of vehicles, including buses, private cars, microbuses, local buses, trucks, pickup vans and motorbikes. As the number of different modes of vehicles, including unfit ones, will increase on the roads, Ashis said the rate of accidents may also increase this time. Similarly, he said the launches will carry 5-6 times more passengers than their capacity. Ashis said the condition of most of the rivers before the Eid may become risky with the possibility of nor’westers, strong current and gusty winds due to the influence of new moon as the passenger launch accidents in the country’s inland waterways happen at this time mainly for overloading of passengers, faulty vessels, risky competition, mismanagement and lack of trained, skilled and competent crews. Contacted, Superintendent of Police (SP- Highway) of Cumilla Md Rahmat Ullah said they have full preparation so that no traffic congestion occurs on Dhaka-Chattoagram highway, especially from Daudkandi to Teknaf, during the rush hours before the Eid day. “We have already made special deployment on the highway from April 24 as part of an initiative to avert traffic congestion. Besides, we have formed 15 Quick Response Team (QRT) and set up six sub-control rooms, “he said. Rahmat said they have already evicted roadsides temporary bazars on the highway and permanent bazars will not run during the holidays before the Eid. Replying to a question, he said there is no possibility of severe traffic congestions on Dhaka-Chattogram highway during the upcoming Eid vacations, except light tailbacks on the toll plazas of two bridges. Contacted, SP (Highway- Gazipur) Ali Ahmed Khan said no serious traffic congestion may occur on six national highways--Dhaka-Tangail,   Dhaka-Mymenshingh, Dhaka-Aricha, Dhaka-Mawa and Dhaka-Sylhet highways-- under his jurisdiction. He said the road conditions are very good while three flyovers on Dhaka-Tangail highway were opened to traffic. “The other parts of the national highways are also good. The situation is now better compared to anytime in the past. “We hope the holidaymakers will reach their respective destinations without much hassles," the SP said. He, however, said that the homebound travellers may suffer in different ferry terminals, including Paturia-Daulatdia, Shimulia-Banglabazar and Shimulia-Majhirkandi terminals. But another official said the holidaymakers may suffer on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, Dhaka-Tangail-Rangpur highway and in the area from Elenga to Bangabandhu Bridge due to the heavy pressure of vehicles.

Several thousand homebound people thronged Shimulia ferry terminal on Wednesday morning to cross the Padma River  five days ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. The authorities concerned of the ferry terminal are struggling a lot to manage the huge rush of home bound people as only seven ferries are operating now instead of 18-21. Also read:Paturia ghat sees huge crowd; Passengers suffer as 2 ferries remain inoperative People were seen waiting at the ferry terminal for several hours amid the scorching heat. Talking to UNB, some passengers said this year the number of ferries is less than the previous year and they are going to their homes today to avoid mad rush.

FBCCI wants road construction work to be put on hold for 14 days to facilitate the Eid journeys of the homebound people.  FBCCI senior vice-president Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu made the request on Sunday for putting the ongoing construction and repair of roads on hold for a total of 14 days before and after Eid to alleviate the suffering of home goers. He made the call at the first meeting of the FBCCI Standing Committee on Transport and Communications (Railways, Roads and Highways) held at FBCCI. Also read: FBCCI President urges Canadian companies to invest in Bangladesh’s waste management The senior vice-president said that the speed of vehicles slows down due to repair and construction work on roads and highways resulting in huge traffic jams.  The FBCCI Senior Vice President urged the government to put a hold on the construction work from April 27 to May 10 to make the Eid journeys smoother.  He also called for the deployment of highway police at heavy traffic zones. “The higher authority of the Bangladesh Police should take strict action to stop extortion on the roads,” he said. The Senior Vice President said that FBCCI will send a letter to the Minister of Home Affairs and IGP requesting to stop extortion. The senior vice-president also called for increasing the number of ferries and ferry trips to shorten the long queues of the buses and trucks at Mawa and Aricha Ferry Ghat. Earlier, raising the issue of the financial loss due to traffic jam FBCCI vice-president and director-in-charge of the committee Md. Aminul Haque Shamim informed that the heavy jam at Tongi costs financial loss worth Tk 10 crore daily. Despite being the most affected sector, the public transport sector, which remained shut down for 18 months, received no government assistance, he mentioned.  In addition, the owners have to pay regular bank installment to avoid being defaulted even if they have no income.  In this situation, he urged the government not to impose any further tax or duty on tires, tubes and other parts in the next  budget. President of the Bangladesh Bus Truck Owners Association and Chairman of the committee Ramesh Chandra Ghosh said that law enforcement members illegally collect money every night at Joykali Mandir and Ittefaq intersection in the capital.  He sought help from police authority to end this situation. Identifying the public transport sector as the most affected sector during the Corona period, Ramesh Chandra Ghosh called for policy protection for the next three years. Also read: Self-reliance in seed production essential for food security: FBCCI In their speeches, other members of the committee said that the longevity of vehicles is being declined due to the potholes and broken roads.  To reduce traffic congestion and bring discipline to the roads, integrated transport management system and decentralization of services and proper implementation of BRTA were stressed at the meeting.  They demanded to stop bribery and extortion in the name of fitness certificates. FBCCI director Bijoy Kumar Kejriwal, Former Director Abdul Haque, Secretary General Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque, Standing Committee Co-chairmen Eng. Md. Jahangir Alam, M. Humayun Kabir, Faruk Talukder Sohel, Engr. Golam Kabir, G. Rahman Shohid, Bazlur Rahman Ratan and others members of the committee were present in the meeting.

Amid mad rush of homebound people ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, five people died in stampede and heatstroke at Banglabazar ferry terminal on Wednesday. Banglabazar Traffic Police Inspector Ashikur Rahman said a teenage boy was killed in a stampede while getting off Shah Paran ferry. The deceased was identified as Anchur,15, son of Giasuddin Madbor of Noria upazila of Shariatpur. Also read: Covid-19 claims 40 more lives, infects 1,144 others Four others died due to heatstroke and stampede while boarding off Enayetpuri ferry at the same terminal, he said. Sources said that lakhs of people have crossed the Padma River on ferries since morning. All the 17 ferries are operating to cater to the mad rush of homebound people. Some 800 vehicles and 10,000 people have crossed the river till Wednesday noon, officials said. Also read: BGB deployed on Paturia-Daulatdia, Shimulia-Banglabazar routes Authorities, meanwhile, claimed that people will not face any difficulties in crossing rivers as ferry services are available. The UNB correspondent found hundreds of people reaching the Daulatdia-Paturia ghat in the afternoon on foot, in rickshaws and other vehicles, defying all the lockdown norms. Police have installed a number of check-posts on the highway, including Barbaria, Singair and Dhalla areas. Though the cops forced many vehicles coming from other districts to return, passengers were quick to get off the vehicles and head towards the ferry ghat on foot. Also read: Mad rush of homebound people at Paturia terminal Ferry services on Paturia-Daulatdia and Shimulia-Banglabazar routes were suspended to curb the spread of Covid-19. Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) said the decision to suspend ferry services on the two busy water routes, with effect from Saturday morning, was taken in the wake of the ongoing second wave of coronavirus. But the mad rush of homebound people forced them to resume the ferry services.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) teams have been deployed on the Paturia-Daulatdia and Shimulia-Banglabazar routes in Manikganj and Munshiganj from tonight to stop the mad rush of homebound people. Md Shariful Islam, Public relations officer of the  BGB headquarters confirmed the development to UNB. He warned that strict actions will be taken against those gathering at the ferry terminals despite suspension on water vessels plying  from tomorrow. Earlier today, Paturia ferry terminal saw a mad rush of homebound people ahead of Eid despite a so-called decision of  Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) to suspend  daytime ferry services. Also read: Ferry services suspended to contain spread of Covid BIWTC took the decision late Friday night to suspend daytime ferry services on Paturia-Daulatdia and Shimulia-Banglabazar routes from Saturday morning as per government instructions to curb the spread of coronavirus infection ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. However, three ferries were selected to transport ambulances and hearse vehicles. While visiting Paturia ferry terminal early Saturday morning, the UNB correspondent saw flocks of people stranded there, completely unaware of the hastily made late night decision of BIWTC. Although some of them were forced to return, hundreds of passengers continued to hold their ground in an attempt to celebrate Eid with the loved ones at any cost. Also read: Mad rush of homebound people at Paturia terminal When an ambulance carrying a dead body was getting into the Madhobilota, a ferry kept for emergency situations, hundreds of these people forced themselves onto it. The same incident happened with two other ferries anchored at separate terminals of Paturia. After a few hours, two of those ferries, carrying hundreds of people, left the terminals and this was more or less the entire story of the day, which means the late night suspension of BIWTC has proved insufficient. However, Jillur Rahman, deputy general manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Aricha office said, “At all times the plying of water vessels has been suspended following BIWTC’s decision. Only three ferries  are operational for emergency use. But we are facing difficulties in operating them because of excessive pressure by people wanting to get in.”

Paturia ferry terminal saw a mad rush of homebound people ahead of Eid despite a so-called decision of  Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) to suspend  day time ferry services. The corporation took the decision late Friday night to suspend daytime ferry services on Paturia-Daulatdia and Shimulia-Banglabazar routes from Saturday morning as per government instructions to curb the spread of coronavirus infection ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. However, three ferries were selected to transport ambulances and hearse vehicles. Also read: Ferry services suspended to contain spread of Covid While visiting Paturia ferry terminal early Saturday morning, the UNB correspondent saw flocks of people stranded there, completely unaware of the hastily made late night decision of BIWTC. Although some of them were forced to return, hundreds of passengers continued to hold their ground in an attempt to celebrate Eid with the loved ones at any cost. When an ambulance carrying a dead body was getting into Madhobilota, a ferry kept for emergency situations, hundreds of these people forced themselves onto it. Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 45 more deaths with 1285 new cases The same incident happened with two other ferries anchored at separate terminals of Paturia. After a few hours, two of those ferries, carrying hundreds of people left the terminals and this was more or less the entire story of the day, which means the late night suspension of BIWTC has proved insufficient. Also read: Bangladesh detects first case of Indian Coronavirus strain However, Jillur Rahman, deputy general manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Aricha office said, “At all times the plying of water vessels has been suspended following BIWTC’s decision. Only three ferries  are operational for emergency use. But we are facing difficulties in operating them because of excessive pressure by people wanting to get in.”

Homebound people have started swarming into cities' launch and bus terminals as the announcement of countrywide lockdown came on Saturday.   On Saturday morning, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the government is set to announce a seven-day lockdown from Monday to stem the spread of coronavirus. Since the declaration, people are dreading the suspension of all public transportation across the country and crowding at the bus and launch terminals. Railways Minister MD Nurul Islam Sujan said passenger train services will remain suspended across the country during the countrywide lockdown period. Joynal Abedin, joint director for Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) told UNB no announcement of suspending launch services has been made. Also read: Govt to enforce 7-day lockdown from Monday: Quader Yet dreading the upcoming suspension number of homebound people at the terminals has increased from this afternoon, said BIWTA’s joint director. Sales manager of Hanif Paribahan bus service’s Kallyanpur counter, Nahid Hasan said bus counters were already packed with passengers as the bus owners were carrying 50 percent less passengers according to the Government’s order from Wednesday. As the declaration of lockdown came today the crowd of passengers increased more, he said. Unique bus service’s Gabtali counter man Sulaiman said, passengers are frightened about being stuck hence they are flocking at the ticket counters to leave the city within a day or two. Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh Amid an alarming surge in Covid-19 cases, Bangladesh recorded 5,683 fresh cases and 58 deaths in the last 24 hours until Saturday. Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 5,638 cases, 58 more deaths The infection rate slightly fell to 23.15 percent from 23.28 percent on Friday when the country recorded 6,830 cases, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic. Bangladesh has so far recorded 630,277 coronavirus cases, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). During the 24-hour period until Saturday morning, 2,364 patients recovered, taking the number of recoveries to 549,775. Meanwhile, the fatalities rose to 9,213 with the new deaths.

Covid-19 pandemic has presented the world with some unprecedented situations and brought about some previously unthinkable changes to people’s lives. Similarly people have been forced to rethink some of the old, set ways of doing some things; things we could take for granted just 6 months ago, may not survive the scrutiny today in a new light.