Accra:Many residents are departing the capital city as the five-day vacation for Durga Puja, the major religious festival of the Hindu community, begins.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, city dwellers, including Hindu devotees, began leaving from Monday afternoon to spend the extended holiday period with family in their village homes. The official two-day holiday for Durga Puja, starting Tuesday, is extended by the Friday and Saturday weekend, lasting until October 24.
Large crowds were observed at various transport hubs, such as bus terminals, the railway station, and launch terminals. Notably, many gathered at Sadarghat Launch Terminal to travel to southern regions like Barishal. Bhuban Chandra Roy, a passenger heading to Barishal, expressed joy about reuniting with family during the festival.
At bus counters, such as the Cumilla-bound Tisha Plus in Arambagh, increased passenger traffic was evident. Joynal, an employee at the bus counter, noted a significant rise in travelers on Monday but confirmed that fares remained unchanged.
Kamalapur Railway Station also saw a surge in homebound passengers, with many opting to leave early to avoid heavy crowds later.