Over 2 million people likely to leave Dhaka by waterways during Eid

The number of passengers traveling via waterways from Dhaka during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha holiday is likely to be higher compared of Eid-ul Fitr, resulting in potential overcrowding, mismanagement, and hazards during the bustling travel period.

Private organizations, government agencies, and stakeholders in river transportation have voiced these apprehensions.

Over 2 million people from Dhaka and adjacent districts are expected to travel to coastal districts from Thursday to Sunday, reports UNB.

Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF) said, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, 2.25 million people from Dhaka region will go to various coastal districts including greater Barishal.

But this time the Eid journey period is only four days and so, the pressure on waterway transports will be high, it said.

SCRF president Ashish Kumar Dey told UNB that the number of passengers on the waterway has decreased due to the Padma Bridge. But still the capacity to transport the passengers is inadequate, especially during Eid, he said.

With 90 launches set to carry such large number of one-way passengers within just four days, the potential for mismanagement and passenger discomfort, including overcrowding, looms large.

Eid-ul-Azha, one of the largest religious festivals of Muslims, will be celebrated across the country on June 17 (Monday).

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of the next week are public holidays for Eid. Before that, Thursday of this week is the last working day and Friday and Saturday are weekends.