Dhaka Empties During Durga Puja Holiday, Traffic-Free Roads Bring Relief

Countless people have left the capital Dhaka during the Sharadiya Durga Puja holiday, leaving the metropolis's streets almost completely empty. There is none of the familiar traffic congestion, residents are moving around in comfort, and the daily rush of working people is absent too. Dhaka, known as a city of traffic jams, has taken on a much calmer and different mood, and this is now the most talked-about picture of the capital.

On Tuesday (October 20), such scenes were seen on the ground in Motijheel, Paltan, Shahbagh, Karwan Bazar, Banglamotor, Farmgate, the Hatirjheel area, Rampura, Badda, Banani, Kuril Bishwa Road, Khilkhet and other roads of the capital. At junctions where long tailbacks form every morning and afternoon, vehicles moved almost without obstruction on this day.

On-the-ground observation showed most of Dhaka's roads empty. There were no long queues of passengers at bus stands. All kinds of vehicles moved without hindrance even on busy roads such as Dhanmondi, New Market, Mirpur Road and Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban Road. Journeys on these roads that normally take hours are now taking less than half the time.

Residents believe this situation has arisen because government institutions, schools and colleges, universities, banks, insurance companies and some businesses are closed. With the holiday reducing the pressure of people heading to workplaces, the number of vehicles on the roads has also fallen far below normal.

Meherul Sujan, a private-sector employee on holiday, said Dhaka has emptied because of the holiday, and that he had come out to move around the empty city with his family, planning to eat at a good restaurant at midday, visit a few entertainment centres and return home, because such an empty Dhaka is not found at normal times. Like him, many have come out with their families during the holidays.

Kalam Azad, a resident of the Bijoynagar area, said it will be possible to move around Dhaka without hindrance for a few days in this situation. The city will return to its familiar form once the holiday ends, he said, adding that he is nevertheless enjoying this temporary relief.

A large share of those who left Dhaka have gone to village homes or relatives' homes to spend the holiday. As the Puja holiday combined with the weekly holiday, many received several consecutive days off. As a result, while homebound crowds were seen at bus, train and launch terminals at the start of the holiday, the capital's inner roads are now empty.

Those travelling for urgent needs are also benefiting from the empty roads. Hospital-bound vehicles, people out for urgent office work and goods transport are all saving time. Drivers also say that without congestion more trips are possible in the same time, although earnings are a different calculation with fewer passengers.

On the other hand, many businesses and shops in this empty holiday-time Dhaka are seeing fewer customers. Crowds are especially low at food shops and service outlets centred on office areas. However, families visiting entertainment centres and parks are noticeable.

Urban planners often note that a major cause of Dhaka's congestion is the simultaneous travel centred on workplaces and educational institutions. These few days offer a real picture of how mobile the roads can become when that pressure lifts.

This relief is temporary, however. As soon as the holiday ends, a flood of people returning to work will descend on the terminals, and the capital will return to its familiar bustle and congestion. Transport operators will need to prepare accordingly to handle the return rush.

For now, residents are enjoying this rare form of an empty Dhaka. The festive mood of Puja, calm roads and time spent with family together have brought a measure of relief to the capital's residents during the holidays.