In just two or three days, the holy Eid-ul-Fitr will be here. Around this festival, the people's journey to return home has begun from the capital Dhaka to different parts of the country. With the pulse of the heart, the pull of the soil and the desire to share the joy of Eid with their loved ones, millions of people are leaving the city and heading towards the villages. This year's Eid journey is showing a picture of comparative ease and smooth movement, which has brought relief to the minds of the passengers.
Homebound people started gathering at the bus terminals, railway stations and launch ghats in the capital before dawn. The preparation to travel a long distance with their families, children and the elderly is clear in their eyes. Although many are tired, the joy of reaching their loved ones has faded that fatigue.
A disciplined atmosphere was seen at the main bus terminals in the capital. Long-distance buses are leaving on time. There are relatively few complaints of overcrowding or ticket shortages like in previous years.
According to the relevant sources, there is almost no traffic jam on the roads during the long holiday on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Besides, this situation has arisen due to proper management. Due to this, there is no long traffic jam.
In this context, ASM Ahmed Khokon, Treasurer of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, told the Daily Observer, our Road Minister, State Minister for Roads, law enforcement, owners' association and workers are performing their duties in an orderly manner. This has benefited all of us. And this holiday is for a long period. But we are tensed about the 19th and 20th. However, we are very nicely managing traffic jam on the roads.
Asad and Zarif, passengers of the bus named Hanif, bound for Thakurgaon, told The Daily Observer at Gabtoli Bus Terminal that the journey has been much more comfortable as the management has improved somewhat. Especially, the online ticketing system and advance preparations have reduced the suffering.
The same picture is on the railways. The trains are leaving on time and additional coaches have been added to handle the pressure of passengers. Many are choosing this mode of transport as they find train travel safer and more comfortable. The presence of law enforcement agencies at the stations is also noticeable, which ensures the safety of passengers.
Rony Ahmed, who is travelling on the Panchagarh Express from Kamalapur, told the Daily Observer that the train is coming on time. We will also be able to reach our destination safely.
A large presence of passengers has also been observed on the river route. Launch journey is still a popular mode of transport, especially for people in the southern regions. Special measures have been taken by the administration to maintain order at the ghats. Additional surveillance and supervision are being carried out to ensure the safe journey of passengers.
However, State Minister for Shipping Md. Rajib Ahsan told reporters that the launch fare has been reduced by 10 percent from the government-set fare. This year's Eid journey is more comfortable than before.
The traffic congestion on the roads is much more bearable than before. The traffic police are working tirelessly to keep traffic flowing normally on the highways. Additional manpower has been deployed at various important points. As a result, although there are slow movements in some places, there have been no reports of long-term traffic jams. Passengers are breathing a sigh of relief.
Talking to passengers, it was learned that their expectations about this year's Eid journey have been largely fulfilled. A private employee in the capital said, Every year it is very difficult to go home during Eid. But this time there was no such problem. We got the car on time, and the road condition is also good.
On the other hand, those concerned believe that the last-minute pressure has reduced somewhat as many people started their journey early. They say that if passengers plan in this way and leave for home in advance, the Eid journey will be more comfortable.
However, there are still complaints of charging extra fare in some places. Passengers have complained that some long-distance buses are charging more than the prescribed fare. Although the administration has announced strict monitoring in this regard.
The issue of security has also gained importance in this Eid journey. Law enforcement agencies are working on the ground to ensure the safety of passengers. CCTV cameras have been installed in terminals and stations, along with adequate security personnel. As a result, passengers are able to travel with great peace of mind.
Overall, those concerned believe that this Eid journey is smooth and comfortable. Although some challenges still remain, the overall situation is much better than before. With smiles on people's faces and relief in their eyes, this journey back home has become a joyous one.
This influx of people leaving the city for the village during Eid is a familiar sight. Leaving the busy concrete city and returning to their roots is an emotional story of Bengalis. The true joy of Eid can be found in that village filled with family, relatives and childhood memories.
And so it can be said that the journey of people returning home after overcoming all the busyness, fatigue and distance is not just a journey, it is an expression of a deep emotion. That emotion is finding more fulfillment in the smooth journey, and the joy of Eid in advance is spreading across the country.
