Staff Reporter:
All offices across the country including government, semi-government, autonomous, private institutions as well as banks and financial bodies reopened yesterday after a long 10 days of holidays due to the Eid-ul-Azha.
The holy Eid-ul Azha, the second-largest religious festival for Muslims, was celebrated in the country on June 7. So, June 4 was the last working day for most government employees before the vacation which ended on June 14 as per the government decision.
Earlier, the government offices were decided to close on June 11 and 12 as per the executive order of the advisory council on May 6. That’s why the government employees got a 10-day holiday while the government announced the vacation from June 5 to June 12, which merged with weekends on June 13 and 14 later.
To this end, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a gazette notification regarding the holiday on June 11 and 12 as per the executive order on May 7. According to the notification, government offices remained open on two Saturdays– on May 17 and 24 during the weekly holiday– before the Eid-ul-Azha.
While visiting different ministries, it was seen that the employees and officials were exchanging Eid greetings with each other after entering into the secretariat this morning.
Despite the reopening, Dhaka remains quieter than usual, as many holidaymakers have not yet returned to the city. However, transport terminals and highways have begun to feel the pressure of the return rush.
Bus terminals, launch ghats, and railway stations saw a surge of passengers over the weekend, with heavy inbound movement reported from across the country.
While visiting different bus terminals including Jatrabari, Gabtoli, Mohakhali, Sayedabad and Kamlapur and railway stations, it was observed that buses of different transport companies like Lal-Sabuj, Sohagh, Ena, Econo, Shamoli, Star Line and Green Line carrying passengers from different parts of the country were entering the city.
In addition, holidaymakers were seen returning to the capital by private cars. Even the local buses were also seen plying on the city streets with passengers who are returning after completing their Eid vaca-tion.
Passengers’ pressure was also observed on trains heading to the capital. Although the pressure of passen-gers and private cars was high, no significant suffering has been reported yet.
“The city roads was heavy rush with office going and personal vehicles from this morning…Even the number of mass transport the passengers also were seen comparatively more on city roads than the last couple of days,” said
Safiul Azam, a traffic constable of the city’s Banasree area.
