Dhaka: All offices across the country, including government, semi-government, autonomous, and private institutions, as well as banks and financial bodies, reopened today after a closure of ten consecutive days due to the Eid-ul-Azha vacation. This reopening marks the end of a significant break that had halted regular operations nationwide.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the holy Eid-ul-Azha, the second-largest religious festival for Muslims, was celebrated on June 7. The last working day for most government employees was June 4, with the vacation officially ending on June 14. The government had earlier decided to close offices on June 11 and 12, following an executive order from the advisory council on May 6. This extended the holiday period to ten days, as the vacation from June 5 to June 12 merged with weekends on June 13 and 14.
The Ministry of Public Administration issued a gazette notification on June 11 and 12, formalizing the holiday extension per the executive order from May 7. To accommo
date the extended break, government offices remained open on two Saturdays, May 17 and 24, during the weekly holiday period before Eid-ul-Azha.
As office activities resumed, employees and officials were seen exchanging Eid greetings at various ministries this morning. Despite the reopening, the city of Dhaka remains quieter than usual, as many holidaymakers have yet to return. However, transport terminals and highways are beginning to experience the pressure of returning commuters.
Over the weekend, bus terminals, launch ghats, and railway stations reported a surge in passengers, with significant inbound movement from across the country. Visits to bus terminals such as Jatrabari, Gabtoli, Mohakhali, Sayedabad, and Kamlapur, as well as railway stations, revealed that buses from companies like Lal-Sabuj, Sohagh, Ena, Econo, Shamoli, Star Line, and Green Line were bringing passengers back to the city. Holidaymakers were also seen returning to the capital in private cars, and local buses were actively transport
ing passengers back after the Eid vacation.
Trains heading to the capital experienced increased passenger pressure, yet no significant disruptions have been reported. “The city roads were heavy with office-going and personal vehicles from this morning… Even the number of mass transport passengers was comparatively more on city roads than in the last couple of days,” said Safiul Azam, a traffic constable in the Banasree area.