Eid Exodus Swells as Up to 13 Million Leave Dhaka

The seven-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday has triggered a massive wave of outbound travel from the capital, as millions continue to leave Dhaka to celebrate the festival with their families across the country.

Transport hubs, including bus terminals, railway stations and river ports, saw heavy crowds from early Monday morning as homebound passengers rushed to secure seats amid the peak holiday movement.

Passenger welfare and road safety groups estimate that between 10 million and 13 million people may leave Dhaka during the Eid period, though unfavourable weather conditions could reduce the final number if travel plans are disrupted.

Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity Secretary General Md Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury said the organisation expects around 10 million to 11.5 million people to travel out of the capital for Eid celebrations. He noted that the figure could fall if rain or other adverse conditions discourage travel.

He added that roughly 60–65 percent of travellers are expected to use road transport, while rail may carry around 10–12 percent, and waterways about 20–25 percent.

Road Safety Foundation Executive Director Saidur Rahman also estimated that up to 13 million people could leave the city, saying the main rush began after Sunday, the last working day before the holiday.

He said most outbound travel has already taken place, leaving Dhaka noticeably less crowded, while movement is expected to continue until Eid day. Some smaller traders and workers may also travel after the festival.

Rahman warned that road safety risks often increase after Eid due to higher speeds on less congested highways, which can lead to accidents caused by reckless driving.

He also pointed to transport shortages during peak demand, saying many people are forced to travel by unsafe or unconventional means, including motorcycles and trucks, particularly among low-income groups.

Although there is no official count, Dhaka’s population is commonly estimated at 20 to 25 million, and experts believe nearly half may temporarily leave during the Eid period.

Police officials, however, said there is no verified data on the exact number of people leaving the city.

Authorities added that the Eid travel rush is part of one of the country’s largest annual population movements, driven by the extended holiday period and nationwide closures of government and private institutions.

The Eid-ul-Azha festival is expected to be observed on May 28.

Meanwhile, medical staff involved in measles treatment and emergency services have been exempted from the holiday to ensure uninterrupted healthcare support.

The government’s seven-day holiday, announced earlier, runs from May 25 to May 31, with offices set to reopen on June 1.