The usually chaotic, high-decibel streets of Dhaka fell into a rare, tranquil slumber on Saturday as the city celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr. With a significant portion of the population heading to their ancestral villages to celebrate with loved ones, the capital transformed into a “ghost city” of wide-open boulevards and silent neighborhoods.
A survey of key areas including Motijheel, Gulistan, Badda, Malibagh, Kamalapur, and Mugda on Saturday morning revealed a starkly different picture from the daily gridlock. The constant roar of engines was replaced by an unusual stillness, with only a few private cars and scattered rickshaws plying the main roads.
A Tale of Two Cities: Commuter Ease vs. Fare Hikes
While the lack of traffic brought smiles to many, it also sparked a familiar holiday debate over transportation costs.
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The Commuter’s Joy: For those who stayed in the city, the lack of congestion was a dream come true. “It’s so peaceful. If Dhaka were always like this, it would be wonderful,” said Saymun Haq, a resident of Basabo. Another commuter, Kabir Hossain, noted that his bus journey from Uttara to Mugda took a mere 30 minutes—a trip that usually takes hours.
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The Fare Frustration: The serenity was occasionally broken by heated arguments between passengers and drivers. Many commuters complained that rickshaw and CNG drivers were demanding double or even triple the usual fares. “Where I used to pay 150 to 200 Taka, they are now asking for 350,” lamented a passenger in Motijheel.
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The Drivers’ Defense: Transport workers defended the price hikes, citing the lack of passengers. “There are no people on the streets,” said Sohail, a CNG driver. “I stayed in the city instead of going home to my village just to earn a little extra. We still have to pay our daily vehicle deposits.”
Empty Streets, Quiet Celebrations
Despite the minor disputes over fares, the overall atmosphere remained festive but subdued. Public transport remained scarce; while some buses were seen operating, they were largely empty.
In the residential pockets, small groups of people—decked out in their finest new Eid outfits—could be seen strolling leisurely, enjoying the rare opportunity to walk through their city without the threat of a traffic jam.
As the day progresses, crowds are expected to pick up slightly at recreational spots like the National Zoo and Hatirjheel, but for now, Dhaka remains a city of quiet beauty, catching its breath before the inevitable rush of returning holidaymakers next week.
