With the long holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr, most people have already left Dhaka to celebrate with their families, leaving the usually bustling city nearly empty. Major roads are free from traffic congestion, and even smaller streets have fewer vehicles, making travel smooth and hassle-free. However, the number of vehicles on the roads remains relatively low.
A visit to different areas of the capital on Sunday revealed this quiet scene.
At 10:30 AM, Shahbagh, one of Dhaka’s busiest intersections, was largely empty, with rickshaws dominating the main roads. Due to the lack of traffic, police officers remained inside their booths. One officer mentioned that there was no traffic pressure, making duty easy, though congestion might increase in the afternoon.
As today is the day before Eid, many Dhaka residents might head out for last-minute shopping in the afternoon, which could lead to increased traffic, particularly in areas like New Market, Gulistan, Bashundhara, and Karwan Bazar.
Traffic police sergeant Md. Mustafa, stationed at Karwan Bazar, stated that the roads had been almost empty since morning, allowing officers to pass the time sitting. However, he anticipated a slight rise in traffic later in the day.
Most private offices and garment factories declared holidays on Saturday, leading to an increased rush on highways as people left the city. Those who couldn’t leave on Saturday were seen departing from various bus terminals today.
Thursday marked the last working day for government offices, and a large number of people left Dhaka that day. As a result, the city started emptying out from Friday. This year’s extended Eid holiday has allowed people to return home comfortably.
The official Eid holiday began on Sunday after the weekend holidays on Friday and Saturday. Government offices are set to reopen on April 6 (Sunday).
