As the Eid rush kicked in along with the long vacation, bus terminals, railway stations, and ferry ports turned into bustling transit hubs.
While crowds swelled, most routes remained manageable, with authorities ensuring better traffic flow than in previous years.
Despite the usual hassles of Eid travel, millions of people braved the crowds and congestion to reach their homes for the festivities.
Compared to previous days, Saturday (29 March) saw a significant rise in passenger numbers at Gabtoli, Sayedabad, and Mohakhali bus terminals, Kamalapur railway station, and Sadarghat launch terminal.
Though some roads experienced delays, most passengers managed to travel without severe disruptions.
At Kamalapur Railway Station, the rush was overwhelming, with passengers spilling onto platforms and security personnel attempting to maintain order.
Despite a three-layer security checkpoint, many ticketless travellers slipped through, with some even climbing onto train roofs.
Mozammel Haque, a Jamalpur Express passenger, expressed his frustration, saying, "I don’t understand online ticketing. The counter told me tickets were sold out. But I have to get home. I’ll pay the train staff and manage somehow."
Gabtoli Bus Terminal had been bustling, with passengers arriving by city buses, rickshaws, and CNG-run autorickshaws.
Law enforcement, including police, RAB, and army personnel, maintained strict security at the terminal entrances, ensuring a smoother flow of travellers.
Unlike other terminals, Gabtoli saw relatively lower congestion inside the premises.
At Mohakhali Inter-District Bus Terminal, however, the crowd had been overwhelming.
Passengers thronged ticket counters, scrambling to secure last-minute seats.
Security forces, including police, RAB, and the army, were deployed both inside and outside the terminal, ensuring order.
]Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Sylhet-bound buses faced immense pressure, particularly at United Transport and Bilash Paribahan counters.
Additionally, Abdullahpur’s bus counters saw heavy passenger loads, with law enforcement officers stationed along both sides of the roads.
Passengers at Sayedabad, Motijheel, and Kamalapur bus terminals reported paying inflated fares.
Abdul Baki, a BMF Paribahan passenger bound for Barishal, said, "The normal fare is Tk500, but I had to pay Tk700."
On the Barishal-bound AC buses, tickets were sold for Tk1,100, while non-AC fares reached Tk900, compared to the usual Tk600 (non-AC) and Tk900 (AC).
During an inspection at Sayedabad Terminal, Roads and Highways Division Senior Secretary Md Ehchanul Haque and BRTA Chairman Md Yasin penalised four transport operators—Lal Sobuj, Golden Line, Sakura, and Himachal Paribahan—fining them Tk35,000 for overcharging passengers.
Four additional cases were filed against other transport operators.
Amidst a sea of homebound travellers, Kamal Hossain struggled under the weight of three heavy bags as he rushed towards Gate 10 of Sadarghat Launch Terminal.
However, he missed the "MV Royal Cruise-2" bound for Barguna, departing just as he entered.
He was not alone.
Many others failed to board their intended ferries, leading to frustration and frantic searches for alternatives.
Soon, a microphone announcement assured passengers heading towards Amtali and Barguna that another launch would be arranged shortly.
Between 12 PM and 3 PM, the highest crowds were observed at Bhola and Patuakhali launch docks, whereas Barishal and Chandpur terminals saw fewer passengers.
By late afternoon, however, the number of homebound passengers swelled across all terminals.
At Aricha and Paturia ferry terminals, a mobile court fined four launch operators Tk21,600 for exceeding passenger limits.
Meanwhile, Coast Guard South Zone officers patrolled the Ilisha launch terminal in Bhola to ensure safety and order.
Compared to previous years, major highways saw improved traffic conditions.
On the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway, Narsingdi’s Madhabdi, Panchdona, Velanagar, and Itakhola intersections experienced vehicle pressure, though no major gridlocks formed.
Similarly, northern routes saw smooth traffic, barring slight congestion at key junctions such as Kodda Mor, Mulibari Checkpost, Nolka, and Hatikumrul Roundabout in Sirajganj.
Jamuna Bridge Authority reported that between Thursday midnight and Friday midnight, 48,335 vehicles crossed the bridge, generating Tk3.38 crore in tolls.
Surprisingly, Dhaka-Mymensingh, Dhaka-Tangail, and Dhaka-Sylhet highways did not witness the usual Eid congestion, ensuring a relatively hassle-free journey for many travellers.
While the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway saw increased traffic flow, vehicles moved steadily through Narayanganj’s Sonargaon area.
On the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway, a 3-kilometre-long traffic jam formed between Jatrabari, Barob, Bishwaroad, and Rupshi in Rupganj.
To ease congestion, volunteers, including 50 university students, assisted police in managing highway traffic.
Additional long-haul buses were deployed to accommodate the rising demand, ensuring smoother transit for travellers.
Despite the usual rush, ticket shortages, and occasional transport issues, this year’s Eid travel period saw significantly fewer bottlenecks.
Thanks to improved highway traffic management and enhanced law enforcement patrols, a majority of homebound travellers reached their destinations with fewer disruptions than in previous years.
