Mass Eid exodus begins as Dhaka empties for 10-day break

With a rare 10-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday beginning Thursday, the country is witnessing one of the largest mass movements in recent times, as millions begin leaving Dhaka and surrounding areas to celebrate the festival with their families.

Although the official holiday starts today, the exodus began as early as 30 May, when educational institutions closed. The rush peaked on Wednesday—the last working day—when people started heading home from noon.

Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated on Saturday, 7 June. With an extended holiday through the weekend, nearly 20 million people are expected to leave Greater Dhaka—about 10 million from the capital alone.

Key transport hubs such as Sadarghat Launch Terminal, Kamalapur Railway Station, and major inter-district bus terminals have been overwhelmed by the surge in passengers since Wednesday morning.

Estimates suggest around 60% of travellers will use roads, 25% will travel by train, and the remaining 15% by river.

Due to the unusually long holiday, many people are delaying their departure until after performing animal sacrifices in the city. Others have already started their journeys to avoid peak-day pressure.

Despite the absence of some political activists—who are avoiding travel due to recent developments—the number of outbound travellers is still expected to surpass previous years.

Most of the travellers are residents of Dhaka North and South City Corporations and nearby suburban areas, heading to their home districts by road, rail, or river.

Authorities have urged travellers to remain patient, as all transport systems are operating at full capacity to handle the surge.

Dhaka has already begun to take on a deserted look, with residential buildings, offices, and commercial spaces closing for the Eid break.

During the vacation period, law enforcement agencies will remain active across the city to ensure safety and security. Additional measures have been taken to manage traffic on major highways, though rain has caused some congestion in a few areas.