Shafiul Ahmed

Eid is one of the biggest carnivals in our country with joyous feelings and festive moods among the people of muslim community who observed fasting a month long. This blessed occasion reminds us of the values of compassion, generosity, and brotherhood. But unfortunately, millions of Bangladeshi who reside in Dhaka face a horrible journey to reach their homebound destination that feels like a race before the time.

Every year, just days before the Eid — Bus Terminals, Train Stations, Ferry Ghats turn into a battleground filled up with anxious passengers, struggling to secure a ticket for a comfortable journey. Sometimes, the journey home for Eid is nothing short of a nightmare. Despite repeated promises of improvement, the same chaos unfolds year after year.

Every Eid, news reports show the same heartbreaking scenes—thousands of people queue up for hours at bus counters only to be told that tickets are sold out. Those who do manage to get tickets often find themselves crammed into overcrowded trains, some forced to travel on rooftops despite the risk of falling off. At ferry terminals, desperate passengers cling to the sides of overloaded boats, praying they will make it across safely.

What Makes Eid Travel Difficult?

1. Limited Transportation Capacity

Every year, over 10 million people set out from Dhaka alone, but the number of buses, trains, and ferries simply isn’t enough. Even with extra Eid-special trains, the demand still outstrips the supply. The transport system struggles to cope with the sudden rush, leaving many travelers at their wits’ end.

2. Ticket Shortages & Black Market Prices

Buying an Eid ticket is like winning a lottery. Tickets for buses, trains, and launches sell out in the blink of an eye, forcing many to turn to scalpers who charge double or triple the actual price. In 2024, an investigation revealed a ticket scam involving railway employees who had been raking in huge profits by secretly hoarding and reselling tickets. Despite public outrage, the issue refuses to go away.

3. Massive Traffic Jams & Road Accidents

If securing a ticket is a battle, the journey itself is another nightmare. Highways become choked with traffic, and major exit points like Paturia-Daulatdia Ferry Ghat, the Meghna Bridge, and Jamuna Bridge turn into bottlenecks, where vehicles barely move. A five-hour journey can drag on for 12 to 15 hours.

4. Overloaded Ferries & Unsafe Journeys

With roads in a mess, many people opt for river routes. But here, too, the story is the same—ferries overflow with passengers, and safety measures go out the window. In 2023, a launch traveling from Munshiganj sank because it was carrying way over its limit. Despite clear safety guidelines, no one seems to stick to the rules.

5. Uncoordinated Holiday Schedules

One of the biggest reasons for the Eid rush is that everyone leaves at the same time. Government offices, private companies, and garment factories all shut down just before Eid, forcing millions of people to travel on the same days. If holidays were spread out, the pressure on transport could ease up.

How Can We Solve the Eid Travel Crisis?

1. Expand & Modernize Public Transport

The government must step up its efforts to increase the number of buses, trains, and ferries during Eid. More express trains and dedicated Eid special bus services could help take some of the pressure off. Investing in high-speed rail and well-planned highways could also make a big difference.

2. Crack Down on Ticket Black Markets

Authorities need to get tough on illegal ticket sellers. Online ticketing systems should be tightened up to prevent scalpers from buying tickets in bulk. If strict monitoring is not in place, the black market will continue to rip people off.

3. Improve Traffic & Highway Management

The Dhaka-Mawa Expressway and Padma Bridge have already made travel easier for some, but we need more flyovers, expressways, and dedicated bus lanes to keep traffic moving. Additionally, law enforcement must step in to prevent reckless driving and clamp down on illegal roadside stalls that slow down vehicles.

4. Enforce Safety Rules on Ferries & Roads

Overloading must be brought under control. Ferry operators must stick to passenger limits, and emergency response teams should be on standby at major river terminals. Passengers should also wise up and avoid traveling on dangerously overloaded vessels.

5. Stagger Holidays Across Different Sectors

If different sectors—garment factories, corporate offices, and government institutions—had different holiday schedules, not everyone would rush off at the same time. This would take a lot of pressure off the transport system and reduce congestion.

Every year, millions of people go through hell just to reach home for Eid. Traveling to celebrate with family should be a joyful journey, not a test of survival. If the government, transport operators, and citizens pull together, we can make Eid travel safer, smoother, and stress-free. Otherwise, we will be stuck in the same cycle of suffering year after year.

The writer is a, Student, Department of Management, Islamic University, Kushtia