Residents from various northern districts are returning from the capital by truck, risking their lives to share the joy of Eid with their families. With Eid-ul-Azha just a day away, many are resorting to this dangerous mode of travel due to a lack of available bus tickets.
Travellers from Gabtali and Gazipur are paying 400 to 500 taka per person for a truck ride to Bogura. This morning, numerous trucks packed with passengers were seen on the Bogura highway. The District Police Superintendent has urged people to avoid these risky journeys on trucks or bus roofs. police are actively patrolling the highways to ensure a smooth and safe Eid journey.
On Saturday, many were spotted travelling with their families in trucks in areas like Tinmatha, Charmatha, and Banani on the Dhaka-Bogura highway. These travellers, unable to secure last-minute bus tickets, are heading home by truck. Most passengers are from Bogura, Naogaon, Jaipurhat, and Gaibandha districts.
Rashedul Islam, a garment worker in Savar, shared his story: "I have family waiting in Bogura. To be with them for Eid, I had to take this risk." Rafiqul Mia, another traveller, said he is travelling from Gabtali to Mokamtala for 500 taka and then to his village in Kalai, Joypurhat. "We can't afford bus fares, so we are forced to use trucks," he explained. Truck drivers, like Abdul Mobin, acknowledged the risks but assured they were driving carefully.
Bogura's police have been actively discouraging these perilous journeys. Senior officials, including Superintendent of Police Sudeep Kumar Chakraborty, inspected various areas on Saturday. Chakraborty emphasised that the police will remain vigilant on roads and highways before and after Eid, ensuring passengers' safety and managing traffic. He also mentioned coordinating with transport owners to arrange bus travel for those arriving by truck.
