Shimulia ferry terminal sees mad rush of Eid holidaymakers even today

Shimulia ferry terminal in Munshiganj is witnessing pressure of a huge number of passengers and vehicles as thousands of people are making their way to village homes even today amid the ongoing countrywide lockdown to celebrate Eid with their families.

Thousands of home-bound people and several hundred private cars and trucks carrying goods are seen to wait for the crossing at Shimulia ferry terminal since Thursday (May 13) morning.

There was pressure on the Shimulia ferry terminal in Munshiganj for last several days, but number of private cars and vehicles carrying goods, heading towards the southern part of the country, continue to increase at the ferry terminal area from Thursday morning. There is no place to put one’s foot in the terminal area.

Thousands of people are returning home by ferry without paying attention to the corona infection in the country. On the Shimulia-Banglabazar route, 15 ferries have been plying on the Padma River from the morning.

The government has suspended long-route bus services. As a result, Eid holidaymakers left Dhaka in cars, microbuses, CNG-run auto-rickshaws, pick-up vans, trucks, ambulances, motorcycles and covered vans.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Manager (Finance) Md Foysal Ahmed said 15 ferries are being operated on the route as per the government order. There is pressure of a huge number of passengers and vehicles in the ghat area.