Thousands of people are leaving Dhaka to celebrate Durga Puja and spend time with their families as a five-day holiday began on Tuesday (October 20), triggering heavy crowds at bus terminals across the capital.
From early morning, a large number of passengers gathered at bus terminals in Jatrabari, Sayedabad, Dholairpar and surrounding areas. Passenger pressure has also increased at railway stations and launch terminals as people head to their hometowns for the extended break.
Transport owners and workers said passenger numbers had risen sharply at Sayedabad Bus Terminal and nearby areas since the holiday began. However, some passengers alleged that transport operators were charging fares above the usual rates, taking advantage of the increased demand.
Shah Alam, a ticket seller for Fame Paribahan, which operates on the Shariatpur route from the northern end of Jatrabari intersection, said passenger numbers had increased significantly ahead of the holiday. The rush was also high on Monday, he added.
The fare for the Shariatpur route is currently Tk 300, he said.
Rony, who was waiting for a bus to Naria in Shariatpur, said both the number of passengers and fares had increased. He said the fare had previously been Tk 250 before rising to Tk 280 following an increase in fuel prices. It is now Tk 300.
Meanwhile, Julhas Hossain, an employee of a private company, was waiting with his family at Janapath intersection in Sayedabad to travel to Barishal for the holiday.
Another passenger alleged that bus operators were charging excessive fares because of the surge in demand. According to the passenger, local buses on the Barishal route normally charge up to Tk 500, but tickets were difficult to find for less than Tk 600–700.
Similar complaints were reported on the Cumilla route. Passengers said fares that normally ranged from Tk 200 to Tk 250 had risen to Tk 300.
However, Shahadat Hossain, an employee of Tisha Paribahan, which operates on the Cumilla route, claimed that the company did not charge more than the government-approved fare. He added that fares were comparatively lower during other periods.
The five-day holiday for government employees began on Tuesday, October 20, and will continue until October 24. Banks, financial institutions, stock markets and courts are also closed during the holiday period.
October 20 was designated as a holiday for Maha Navami, while October 21 is a holiday for Bijoya Dashami, the concluding day of Durga Puja. The government also declared Thursday, October 22, a holiday by executive order. Combined with the regular weekend holidays on Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24, this created a five-day break.
Government offices had remained open on Saturday, October 17, despite it being a regular weekly holiday.
The extended break has prompted many people to leave the capital to celebrate the festival with their families and enjoy time off. As a result, passenger pressure has increased at bus terminals and other transport hubs across Dhaka.