Mass departure from Dhaka begins as 10-day Eid holiday starts

Unprecedented Mass Exodus from Dhaka as 10-Day Eid-ul-Azha Holiday Begins

For the first time in Bangladesh’s history, the country is witnessing one of the largest internal migrations in recent years as a rare 10-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday begins on Thursday. Millions of people are departing from Dhaka and surrounding areas to celebrate the festival with their families.

Although the official holiday travel was expected to begin on Thursday (June 5), the mass exodus informally started on May 30, when schools and colleges across the country closed for Eid. However, the rush reached its peak on Wednesday, the last working day before Eid, with people beginning to leave the capital from noon onward.

Eid-ul-Azha will be observed on Saturday, June 7. The extended break, particularly between Wednesday and early Saturday, is prompting tens of millions to leave the city.

Major transport hubs in Dhaka—such as Sadarghat Launch Terminal, Kamalapur Railway Station, and inter-district bus terminals—have been overwhelmed with passengers since Wednesday morning.

While there is no official tally of how many people are leaving Dhaka and its adjoining areas, estimates from the National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR) and the Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF) suggest that nearly 20 million people are expected to travel out of Greater Dhaka during the Eid break. Around 10 million of them are departing from Dhaka city alone.

According to the two watchdog groups, about 60% of travelers are using roads, 25% are taking trains, and the remaining 15% are traveling by waterways.

NCPSRR President Mohammad Shahid Mia said, “This year’s 10-day holiday is likely to result in the highest number of outbound travelers from Dhaka in recent memory. However, some people are choosing to travel after Eid, which could help reduce pressure on certain days.”

Ashis Kumar Dey, President of SCRF, pointed out that political developments may slightly influence travel patterns. “A considerable number of political activists—especially from the recently ousted Awami League and its affiliated organizations—are currently in hiding and not returning to their home districts. Still, this is unlikely to significantly affect the overall volume of Eid travelers,” he said.

Dey added that the exceptionally long break is encouraging more people to leave the capital than in previous years. “Many plan to perform the animal sacrifice in Dhaka and head to their hometowns later on Eid day or the day after.”

The majority of travelers are residents of Dhaka North and South City Corporations as well as nearby suburban areas, heading home via road, rail, or river to celebrate Eid with their loved ones.

Authorities have advised travelers to remain patient and cautious as transport systems are running at full capacity to manage the enormous flow of passengers.

Meanwhile, Dhaka is rapidly emptying out, with many residential buildings, businesses, and financial institutions set to remain vacant throughout the Eid vacation.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, during a visit to the Gabtoli bus terminal on Thursday, assured that despite the mass departures, law enforcement personnel will stay in the capital to maintain security. “We expect the security situation in Dhaka to remain stable,” he said.

He acknowledged that heavy rains have led to traffic congestion on some highways but noted that authorities have taken comprehensive measures to address such challenges, especially on major routes.