More than 17 million people are expected to leave the greater Dhaka region ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, as government employees prepare for an extended nine-day holiday this year, reports UNB.
A joint pre-Eid observation report by the National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR) and the Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF) revealed the information.
The report estimates that approximately 60% of these travellers—over 10.3 million —will take to the roads, while the remaining will rely on waterways and railways.
On March 20, the government approved a nine-day holiday for its employees, spanning from March 28 to April 5, to facilitate Eid celebrations.
Population Trends and Travel Projections
Citing the latest census and other sources, the report states that greater Dhaka is home to 45 million people, including 20 million residents in Dhaka North and South City Corporations.
Gazipur’s population has surged to around 7.5 million, primarily due to its concentration of 70% of the country’s ready-made garment factories. Meanwhile, Narayanganj city accommodates around 3 million people. Together, these three cities hold a combined population exceeding 30 million.
Beyond the city corporations, an additional 5.5 million reside in these three districts, while another 4.6 million live in Manikganj and Narsingdi. The total population of these five districts, excluding metropolitan areas, surpasses 10 million.
A significant portion of this population travels to their hometowns for Eid.
Estimated outflow of Holidaymakers
According to social activists and transport-related organizations cited in the report, around 50% of those in the industrial and commercial hubs of Dhaka, Gazipur, and Narayanganj, along with 20% of those in other parts of the five districts, will temporarily leave for the holidays.
This translates to over 15 million people departing from Dhaka, Gazipur, and Narayanganj city areas, while another 2 million are expected to travel from other parts of these districts.
In total, over 17 million people are set to leave Greater Dhaka, with more than 10 million choosing road transport.
Challenges in Data Accuracy
The organizations acknowledge that the reported figures may not be "100% accurate" due to the lack of a centralized database in government and non-government offices.
Ashis Kumar Dey, General Secretary of NCPSRR, noted, “It is very difficult to obtain precise statistics as no proper database exists in government and non-government offices.”
Meanwhile, SCRF General Secretary Lion Mohammad Jahangir Alam defended the estimates, stating, “Even if the statistics are not exact, the difference will not be significant.”
Government Response and Public Concerns
While the government has introduced several measures to manage the Eid rush, challenges remain.
The two organizations have warned of potential traffic congestion, travel delays, and road accident risks, despite improvements in transport infrastructure and policies.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
