Eid Rush: 126 launches depart Sadarghat Thursday
These vessels are bound for 38 different routes, including popular destinations like Barishal and Bhola
The Sadarghat Launch Terminal buzzed with a massive crowd today (5 June), as thousands embarked on their journey home to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha with their families.
By 10:40pm, a staggering 126 launches had already departed Sadarghat, with another 10 awaiting passengers, bringing the day's total to 136 departures, Mobarak Hossain, joint director of the Maritime Safety and Traffic Management Department, confirmed The Business Standard.
These vessels are bound for 38 different routes, including popular destinations like Barishal and Bhola, he said.
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The terminal experienced peak congestion between 6:30am and 8pm, with passengers spilling across the docks. The pressure was particularly high on various routes, especially those leading to the southern waterways.
For many, the journey to Sadarghat itself was an ordeal.
Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, a passenger on the Parabat-18 launch, recounted pushing through heavy traffic from Gulistan, with his CNG ride from Johnson Road to Sadarghat taking about an hour.
"The presence of hawkers on the sidewalks around Sadarghat exacerbated the traffic," Shahadat said suggesting that clearing these areas would be a significant relief for passengers during future Eid occasions.
Despite the struggles on the way to the terminal and the crowded conditions on the launches, a common sentiment of peace and relief prevailed. For these travelers, the chance to celebrate Eid with loved ones at home made every hurdle worthwhile.
