City dwellers thronged different bus and launch terminals and railway stations to head towards their native villages, creating traffic jam in and around the exit points of the capital.

Several thousand bikers also left the capital for their respective destinations, said sources. 

Gabtoli, Mohakhali and Sayedabad bus terminals, Kamalapur Railway Station and Sadarghat Launch Terminal saw increased pressure of Eid holidaymakers.

A large number of law enforcers, including Detective Branch of police and Rapid Action Battalion members, have been deployed in bus and launch terminals and even on different highways to maintain the law and order and ensure security for the home-goers.

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has also deployed executive magistrates at 46 important points, including 20 in Dhaka, to ensure smooth Eid journey.

BRTA Chairman Noor Mohammad Majumdar gave the information after visiting Gabtoli bus terminal on Wednesday.

Many of the Eid holidaymakers were risking their lives to cross the Bangabandhu Bridge with their wives, sons and daughters on motorcycles.

Going to the Bangabandhu Bridge, hundreds of motorcycles were waiting to cross the bridge at a separate booth set up next to the toll plaza. 

The toll plaza employees were seen asking the waiting motorcyclists over loudspeaker to keep the fixed toll money in hand.

The number of private cars was higher than buses on the highway with motorcycles outnumbering all.

Mubarak Hossain, who was going to his village home in North Bengal from Narayanganj, said he left for his destination on a motorcycle. “There was no pressure of vehicles on the highway. So, I was able to come here without any hassle.”

Grameen Bank employee Abul Kalam was heading home in Sirajganj on a motorcycle with his wife riding pillion.

He said hundreds of motorcyclists like him were waiting to cross the bridge.

Motorcyclists said the highway was empty and it is easy to go home on a motorcycle without hassle.

Bangabandhu Bridge Executive Engineer Ahsanul Kabir Pavel said there was a long queue of motorcycles for crossing the bridge since early morning. Separate booths have been opened for bikes.

On Wednesday, the first day of the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday for government employees, a huge crowd of homebound people was seen at Sadarghat Launch Terminal. Before dawn, the terminal was crowded with passengers.

After the Padma Bridge was opened for traffic in June last year, there was a drop in passengers at Sadarghat. Due to the passenger crisis, the number of launches also started to decrease.

However, in view of the upcoming Eid, the launch terminal has returned to its old form due to increased pressure of passengers.

On Wednesday morning, it was seen that launches that operate regularly were leaving for their destinations filled to the capacity.

The number of passengers at the terminal increased from early morning. Especially, the presence of passengers going to Chandpur was noticeable.

The cabins of the launches were not empty while he decks were also seen crowded with passengers.

Many passengers were seen going to Barishal, Bhola, Barguna, Hatiya and Patuakhali by launches.

Barishal-bound passenger Akbar Ali said, “I came to the terminal with my family right after Sehri so that I could reach home before the heat intensifies.”

Many passengers said the fare for launch cabins was slightly higher than usual due to the pressure of passengers. However, the fare for cabins booked earlier was normal.

Meanwhile, the Daulatdia-Paturia route, known as the gateway to 21 northern districts of the country, is increasingly crowded with home-bound people.

Ferries were seen crossing motorcycles along with common passengers and vehicles.

However, the pressure of passengers and vehicles was higher in the morning than in the afternoon.

Even in the intense heat, everyone seemed happy. Several passengers said this time they got several days before Eid.

That is why they were going home with their family before the pressure increases.

Earlier on this route, they had to wait for a long time to cross the river, causing sufferings for them.

After the Padma Bridge was opened, their sufferings had gone and now they can return home without sufferings.

According to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), 20 ferries and 22 launches are plying on the Daulatdia-Paturia route for smoothly ferrying passengers and vehicles this Eid.

In order to keep the ghat free from traffic jam, the movement of goods-carrying trucks has been suspended for seven days from three days before the Eid day.