Dhaka wears deserted look on first workday after Eid

Dhaka is yet to return to its usual chaotic mood even as government offices, courts, banks, and financial institutions re-sumed operations on Monday following the Eid holidays.

On Monday, the streets of the capital wore a deserted look as most of the people who left the city to celebrate Eid-ul-fitr with their loved ones are yet to return even as the government sanctioned holiday has ended.

Gabtali, Mohakhali, Sayedabad, Jatrabari, Gulistan and Sadarghat, the main gateways to the capital, saw less pressure of people and vehicles.

Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the biggest Muslim festivals, was celebrated nationwide on Saturday. On the occasion, the government officials-employees have been on holiday since April 19, which ended on Sunday.

Sorwar Hossain, who works in a private company, returned to the capital from Pabna in the morning.

He said, “I came from Pabna in the morning and got down at the Gabtali bus stand. From there I came to Azimpur in 15 minutes. The road is empty. Dhaka is still in the mood for Eid.”

Mohammadpur Bus Stand and Beribandh area’s three road intersections are known as traffic hotspots. However, on Mon-day, even these areas wore a deserted look.

Prajapati Paribahan bus driver Sujan said, “Passengers have decreased since Saturday. Even today the road is empty and there are no passengers like we get in usual times.”

In Sadarghat, except for a couple of launches anchored in the ghat, the launch terminal was empty.

Alauddin Manzoor, a gateman, said, “The pressure of people to return to Dhaka has not yet started. It seems that the pres-sure will gradually increase from day to day. There are fewer passengers arriving at Sadarghat than on any other normal day.”

Meanwhile, to keep Dhaka safe, the law enforcement forces had already made preparations. Police and RAB teams are patrolling to prevent crimes.

Faruk Hossain, deputy commissioner (media and public relations) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said, “There are less cars and people on the road. We have taken all measures for the safety of Dhaka residents.”