Eid holidaymakers begin returning to Dhaka

As the extended Eid-ul-Adha holiday draws to a close, people have started returning to the capital ahead of the reopening of government and private offices on Monday. However, transport hubs and major roads in Dhaka have yet to witness the usual post-holiday rush, with passenger movement remaining relatively manageable.

A visit to key bus terminals, including Sayedabad and Jatrabari, on Sunday (May 31) revealed a steady but moderate flow of returning travelers. Unlike the mass exodus seen before Eid, the return journey has so far been marked by a gradual influx of passengers rather than a sudden surge.

Transport operators and travelers said many people are still spending time in their hometowns, resulting in a staggered return to the capital. As a result, buses arriving from different parts of the country have not faced significant passenger pressure.

“I did not encounter any congestion on my way back and returned to Dhaka comfortably,” said office worker Sayed Ahmed.

Businessman Helal Hossain, who arrived from Gopalganj, noted that many holidaymakers have yet to leave their villages. “The pressure is low for now, but the number of people returning to Dhaka is expected to increase over the next few days,” he said.

Transport workers echoed similar views, predicting that the volume of returnees will rise gradually throughout the week as offices resume full operations and educational institutions reopen.

A transport worker at Sayedabad Bus Terminal said passenger arrivals have been increasing since morning, though the situation remains under control. He expressed hope that the capital would return to its usual pace of activity within the coming days.

With the seven-day Eid holiday ending, authorities expect administrative, commercial and economic activities across the country to resume normal operations from Monday, while Dhaka slowly regains its familiar rhythm of daily life.