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A large number of city-dwellers were leaving Dhaka on Wednesday to various destinations to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with their near and dear ones on an extended vacation.
As a result, the train stations, and bus and launch terminals witnessed huge crowds of Eid holidaymakers.
Tens of thousands of people with their families were seen rushing to the Dhaka river-port terminal at Sadarghat to get into their desired launches and steamers for making the Eid journey.
A significant number of homebound people thronged Sadarghat from the morning and the rush continued until the evening.
Md Mustofa, a service holder, who was heading towards Barishal by M V Prince Awlad launch, told the FE on Wednesday afternoon, "I came to Sadarghat terminal early to avoid traffic jam and get suitable place inside the launch."
This year, passengers claimed that the launch operators were charging Tk 200 extra for each category of cabins (single and double) for Dhaka-Barishal, Dhaka-Patuakhali, Dhaka-Bhola, Dhaka-Hatia and Dhaka to other southern districts routes.
According to the passengers, the fair of a single cabin was Tk 1,200 on Wednesday which was Tk 1,000 usually. Meanwhile, the fair of double cabin was Tk 2,200 on the day which was Tk 2,000 earlier.
However, the deck price was between Tk 300 and Tk 400 each for the routes of different southern districts including Dhaka-Barishal, Dhaka-Patuakhali, Dhaka-Bhola and Dhaka-Borguna routes.
The launch owners claimed that they were not charging any extra fare from the passengers during Eid journeys.
The launch owners have called upon the authorities concerned to take initiatives for ensuring the smooth movement of vehicles from Gulistan to Sadarghat area as passengers had to face hassle to reach the terminal due to traffic jam.
They also said that many passengers preferred travelling by bus instead of a launch due to the traffic jam around Sadarghat area.
"We request the authorities concerned to ensure Gulistan to Sadarghat area free from traffic jam so that the passengers can reach the terminal on time," Md Mamun Or Rashid, convener, Dhaka River Port Standing Committee, Bangladesh Inland Waterways (Passengers Carrier's) Association told the FE.
Meanwhile, members of the law enforcement agencies were active to ensure the safety and security of the passengers at Sadarghat launch terminal.
Besides, the Fire Service and Civil Defense also set up a temporary camp at the river port for ensuring safety and security of the passengers.
Talking to the FE, an official of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) said that around 50 launches were supposed to leave Sadarghat river port terminal on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, like previous two days, a significant number of people thronged Kamalapur and Airport railway stations in the capital to find their trains for traveling to their respective destinations.
Many passengers were seen traveling standing as they could not manage tickets against the seats.
The Eid special train services started on April 17. The rush of the passengers at Kamalapur railway station has been continuing for the last three days.
On the other hand, huge crowds of passengers were also seen at Gabtoli, Sayedabad, and Mohakhali bus terminals. They rushed there for traveling to different destinations.
Passengers claimed that a section of bus operators were charging extra fare from them. However, the bus operators denied the allegations.
Additional members of the law enforcement agencies were also deployed at Kamalapur railway station and those bus terminals for ensuring security and safety of the passengers.