Eid holidays bring silence to Dhaka's usually congested city

The capital Dhaka has begun to empty out as a seven-day government holiday for Eid-ul-Azha starts, with millions leaving the city to celebrate the festival with their families in their ancestral villages. While buses, trains and launches are packed with homebound passengers, the city's roads present a picture of relief and calm.

The Dhaka that is usually bustling with traffic and work activities has become largely peaceful since the holidays began. With reduced vehicle pressure on major roads, the usual gridlock is gone, and the noise has subsided. Offices, courts, educational institutions and many businesses are closed, making even the busiest areas relatively quiet.

On Tuesday morning, May 26, areas such as Mirpur, Banani and Khilkhet appeared largely silent. Most roads that normally see long queues of vehicles and severe congestion were nearly empty. While some vehicles were still moving, the traffic was manageable.

The number of public transport vehicles on the capital's roads has also significantly decreased. Buses were seen waiting at their stands for long periods for passengers, with many operating with empty seats.

Traffic police officers posted at various intersections and key points in the capital were also seen working with relative ease. With less pressure on the roads, they were able to perform their duties normally at most signals, not facing the usual heavy pressure to control traffic.

The long holiday was arranged by cancelling the weekly holiday on Saturday, May 23. Offices, courts and banks will resume normal operations from Monday, June 1.