Transporters still charging extra
Dhaka residents start returning after Eid
People have started returning to the city after celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr without facing any major problems, barring some complaints of being charged extra by the transporters and minor hiccups due to the monsoon rains. The staggered return of people has ensured that those coming into the city didnt have to tackle long tailbacks.
I had come to Dhaka to visit my relatives, and I am quite happy even after paying Tk.550 instead of Tk.400. I got the ticket, reached safely and smoothly, said Shirin Akhter, a teacher from Natore, after getting down from a GM Paribahan bus at the Gabtali bus terminal.
The operations of scheduled ferry service at the Mawa Ferry Ghat, which connect South Bengal to Dhaka was also satisfactory. The number of ferries has been increased from nine to 16. The service authorities are not taking additional passengers. Though, the conditions of some of the buses are very poor, it was still a very smooth return, said Moniruzzaman, who works for an NGO in Dhaka, on his return from Kushtia by bus owned by Hanif Enterprise.
When asked whether he has complained to the authorities about being charged extra, he said: We are common people and it is difficult for us to reach them. Besides, we have accepted that during Eid and other rush periods, our prime concern is to go home. We are quite happy to get the tickets, he added.
At the Gabtoli bus terminal, a temporary Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) had been posted on July 9 to check for irregularities, crime and harassment of passengers.
Mamun Hawladar, Sub-Assistant Director of RAB-4, was asked if he had received any complaints from passengers regarding extra charges. Before Eid some people were annoyed at being charged extra. We looked into the matter and got their extra money refunded. After Eid, no such complains came to me, said Hawladar.
We have to work systematically, because if we take action without authentic proof of extra charges, there is a possibility of bus owners going on a strike, which will cause an even bigger problem, he added.
Md Salauddin, Member of Executive Committee, Bangladesh Bus Truck Owners Association, said: During Eid, bus service becomes a single route business. We leave Dhaka for different destinations with all seats booked and come back empty or with few passengers. And this happens after celebration as well, when people come back. We have to keep in mind that we might incur losses. He added that transporters will continue to charge extra till Friday.
Some passengers said that they came back in order to return to their jobs and businesses, while their families are still in the villages enjoying the Eid vacations. Schools, colleges and universities are yet to reopen. Its expected that life in the city will return to a normal routine from next week onwards.
Hasim Reza, a businessman, returned from Jamalpur to finish some important work. With monsoon is full swing, people are spending more time with their families.
There was very little traffic on the road. People are waiting for the next week to return to the city. They are with their families spending some quality moments. The weather is also helpful for spending time with our families, said Reza.
Ramiza Khatun, a bank officer, returned to the city after her Eid vacations. Its hard to leave the family after meeting them after a long time. We have a busy routine in the city. Only once or twice in a year we get time to get together. And the time passed very quickly, said Khatun.
I could have stayed longer with the family, but due to my job I had to return. My children are at my in-laws house. They supposed to return next week, she added.
Asked about transport harassment, she said there were fewer people in the bus. Though, some local buses were packed as daily wage earners were returning to their livelihood in the city.
On Monday morning, people returning to the city could be seen waiting inside the bus counters and other shaded areas in order to avoid the rains. Most were waiting for CNG-run vehicles, which were not available that time. They opted to wait rather than getting wet in the rain.
Passengers alighting at the Mohakhali bus stand, returning from the Northern part of the country, especially Kishoreganj, Jamalpur, Mymensing and Tangail are yet to enter the city after Eid vacations.
