Staff Reporter:
Dhaka City still seems in holiday mood but to get its usual look in a couple of days as people are arriving after enjoying a long Eid holidays.
The bustling capital looked empty with most of the roadside shops, and shopping malls closed and few public and private vehicles plying the streets in the morning.
The government, semi-government, and private offices including banks and financial institutions opened today but there was a low presence of employees.
Officials and staff were seen exchanging Eid greetings with colleagues by embracing each other.
A few buses and private vehicles were seen plying the streets in Malibagh, Shantinagar, Gulshan, Firmgate, Dhamondi, Mirpur and Shahbagh areas in the morning.
Md Yousuf, an employee of a private bank, said, “Still a festive environment is prevailing in the city. There are no traffic jams or chaos on the streets. It took me only 6 minutes to reach Gulshan from the Rajarbagh area by car which usually takes 30 to 40 minutes on the other regular days due to traffic congestion. It’s a temporary relief for Dhaka dwellers.”
On the occasion of Eid, April 10, 11, and 12 (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) were public holidays. After Eid, there was a weekly holiday on Saturday, April 13, and a Bengali New Year holiday on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh on Sunday, April 14.
However, many government and private sector workers who went outside Dhaka to celebrate Eid took optional leave.
As a result, it will take a few more days to start the proceedings in full swing in the offices, courts, banks, and stock market.
Besides, schools and colleges will also open next week. Then the capital will return to normal.
