The number of passengers traveling by sea from Dhaka during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azhar holiday may be more than that of Eid-ul-Fitr. The result is potential congestion, disorganization and disruption during busy travel times.
Private and government agencies and people associated with river transport have expressed this fear.
From next Thursday to Sunday, more than two million people from Dhaka and surrounding districts are expected to travel to the coastal districts.
Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF) said that on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, 200,000 people from Dhaka region will go to various coastal districts including Greater Barisal.
But this time, since the Eid journey is only four days, there will be more pressure on boat traffic, the agency said.
SCRF president Ashish Kumar Dey said that the number of passengers on the waterway has decreased due to the Padma Bridge. But even then, especially during Eid, the passenger transport capacity is insufficient, he said.
With 90 launches ready to carry such a large number of one-way passengers in just four days, the potential for mismanagement and passenger discomfort with overcrowding looms large.
Eid-ul-Azha, one of the main religious festivals of Muslims, will be celebrated across the country on June 17 (Monday).
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of next week are public holidays on the occasion of Eid. Before that, Thursday is the last working day of this week and Friday and Saturday are weekends.
Those who want to celebrate the upcoming Eid with their loved ones in their hometown are expected to start leaving Dhaka from Thursday.
According to the data of the National Committee for Protection of Sea, Road and Railway, 95 percent of Dhaka’s seafarers will use the Dhaka River Port (Sadarghat River Port).
A total of 180 launches will operate from Sadarghat terminal under Eid special service. Among these ships, 90 will leave Dhaka and 90 will arrive in Dhaka from different places.
But with 90 launches in four days, it will not be possible to transport a large number of one-way passengers smoothly.
President of the National Committee, Mohammad Shaheed Mia, said that as there is pressure of excess passengers, there is also the risk of accidents.
So all concerned authorities should be more alert.
BIWTA’s Joint Director (Ports and Traffic) Alamgir Kabir said, “We have already made all-out preparations so that travelers can reach their destinations safely in the coastal districts by launching from Dhaka.”
In response to a question, he said that all the launches on their way to the destination are connected to the Dhaka river port as well as the nearby ports. So if there is any cyclone warning during the journey, they (launch) will be informed immediately.
Alamgir Kabir, who is in charge of Dhaka River Port, said that BIWTC’s special steamer service will be launched on the occasion of upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.
These steamer services will leave Dhaka river port for Morelganj on June 13, 16 and 20 and morelganj for Dhaka on June 14, 18 and 22.
Badiuzzaman Badal, Senior Vice President of Bangladesh Inland Waterway Passenger Transport Association (BIWTA), said that they are fully prepared to deliver people from their homes to their destinations on Eid.
When asked about the preparations to deal with possible natural disasters during this Eid trip, he said that their launches are capable of running according to the current weather conditions.
Besides, we are getting regular weather warnings from concerned authorities. He expressed hope that homebound people will be able to enjoy hassle-free travel on Eid.