The longing to celebrate Eid with loved ones outweighs the hardships of travel

Millions of people heading home for Eid have faced long delays, overcrowded transport and inflated fares, as the annual rush out of the capital gathered momentum.

On Wednesday, travellers leaving Dhaka to celebrate the Muslim festival reported severe congestion at key exit points such as Jatrabari and Abdullahpur. Many also said transport operators were charging nearly double the usual fares.

Railway stations and the Sadarghat launch terminal were similarly packed, with passengers struggling to secure seats on trains and river vessels.

Despite the ordeal, many said the chance to celebrate Eid with family made the hardship worthwhile.

Authorities deployed mobile courts that fined several bus operators for overcharging, though passengers said the action had little immediate effect.

There were also reports of accidents nationwide. At least three people were killed in a road crash in Bogura, while another died after two launches collided at Sadarghat. In a separate incident, around 50 passengers were injured when the Nilsagar Express derailed in Bogura’s Adamdighi area.

The government, however, painted a more optimistic picture. Sheikh Rabiul Alam, the minister in charge of rail, road and shipping, said travel had been “largely smooth” and claimed most operators were following fare guidelines, with some even offering slightly reduced rates.

Passengers told a different story.

Rakibul Hossain, who travelled from Dhaka’s Norda area to Patuakhali, said his six-hour journey stretched to around ten hours. “We left at 7:50 in the morning, but it took more than two hours just to reach Postogola,” he said, citing heavy congestion from Malibag to Jatrabari, along with roadworks and narrow lanes.

He added that he paid significantly more than the standard fare. “I booked in advance, but was charged Tk950 instead of the usual Tk600,” he said. “Even so, it feels worth it to be home for Eid.”

Another traveller, Jashim Uddin, described his trip to Moulvibazar as “extremely chaotic”, blaming road repairs, diversions and dust. He also pointed to damaged road sections in parts of Brahmanbaria, as well as roadside markets and unauthorised structures, which he said worsened congestion.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting Gabtoli Bus Terminal, the minister maintained that services were running on schedule and that complaints were limited. He urged passengers to report any overcharging to control rooms or law enforcement agencies.

Mobile court drives in areas including Jatrabari and Sayedabad resulted in fines for two bus companies accused of charging above approved rates.

Meanwhile, traffic continued to build on major highways leaving Dhaka. On the Dhaka–Tangail route, congestion stretched up to 20 kilometres near the Chandra junction by evening, worsened by rainfall.

Transport operators and passengers also pointed to increased pressure on services following the staggered closure of garment factories in Gazipur, which has driven up demand and left many workers struggling to find affordable travel options.

For many, however, these difficulties are part of a familiar annual journey—one driven by the hope of reuniting with loved ones for one of the year’s most important festivals.