Millions of workers left Gazipur for their hometowns across northern districts on Wednesday as a three-day holiday prompted a mass exodus from the country’s major industrial hub.
Large crowds gathered from early morning on the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways, while passengers struggled with traffic congestion, transport shortages and allegations of excessive bus fares.
According to the Industrial Police, factory workers received a three-day break after the government combined two public holidays marking the July uprising with the weekly holiday. The extended break encouraged a large number of workers to travel home.
Heavy passenger pressure appeared at the Chandra intersection on the Dhaka-Tangail highway and at Chandana Chowrasta and Mawna Chowrasta on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway from the morning.
Traffic volume increased steadily at the Chandra intersection, the main gateway to 26 northern districts, creating slow-moving traffic for nearly two kilometres.
Passengers also accused several transport operators of charging fares well above the official rates. Many said transport companies cited ticket shortages to justify the higher fares.
Zerin Akter, who waited at a bus counter in Chandra, said she failed to secure a ticket despite arriving early.
“I got a three-day holiday and wanted to spend time with my family, but I could not get a ticket at the counter,” she said.
Another passenger, Eklachur Rahman, alleged that operators sharply increased fares during the holiday rush.
“They usually charge Tk500 for this route, but today they asked for as much as Tk800,” he said.
Transport operators acknowledged that fares had increased in some cases but blamed the situation on overwhelming passenger demand.
Ilias Hossain, owner of a Shah Fateh Ali Paribahan ticket counter in Chandra, said passenger demand far exceeded the number of available buses.
“The shortage has created pressure, and many buses operate outside the control of ticket counters, making it difficult to regulate fares,” he said.
Long queues also formed at several points along the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway as passengers waited for buses. Many stood by the roadside for hours, while traffic congestion further delayed their journeys.
Mohammad Zafar Hossain, officer-in-charge of Nawjor Highway Police Station in Gazipur, said traffic and passenger pressure had increased significantly since dawn.
“Police are working to maintain order on the highways. We have also warned transport operators against charging excessive fares,” he said.
