Rush of passengers in long-haul buses, typical traffic jam in capital
Passengers of long-distance buses were found wearing masks but the social distance was not followed
Inter-district bus, launch and train services resumed on Monday, the 48th day of the nationwide lockdown, but the number of passengers was relatively low.
On the other hand, there was a traffic jam in the capital city of Dhaka.
A visit to Sadarghat Launch Terminal, Kamalapur Railway Station and other bus terminals in the capital on Monday revealed that half of the seats on trains were empty as per the directions but many passengers were without masks.
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Passengers of long-distance buses were found wearing masks but the social distance was not followed. Passengers were found sitting side by side ignoring social distancing rules.
Launches have kept half of the seats empty to ensure hygiene. As a result, the fare has been increased by 60%. However, there were very few passengers throughout the day, said Badiuzzaman Badal, vice president of Bangladesh Inland Waterways Passenger Carrier Association (BIWPCA).
Kamalapur Railway Station manager Mohammad Masud Sarwar said, "Trains are running in compliance with the hygiene rules. Trains are being sanitised before starting. Passengers are also being sprayed with disinfectant. Some passengers take off their masks after boarding the train. We are making passengers aware of all these."
Dhaka-Lakshmipur-bound Jonaki Poribahon was found not keeping half of the seats empty. The conductor of the bus Mostafizur Rahman said, "We started the bus with half of the seats empty but later some passengers got into the bus by force."
However, a passenger named Sumon Ahmed said, "We did not get into the bus by force. The conductor said we would have to pay a little less than double fare. So, we got on the bus at the request of the conductor."
Md Habibullah, a passenger of Ishwardi-Chapainawabganj-bound intercity train Pakshi, boarded the train without a mask.
"I have removed the mask because of the extreme heat. Wearing a face mask in such heat is inconvenient," he said.
Several counter managers of Sayedabad Bus Terminal said that buses are leaving in compliance with the health rules. They are also monitoring whether anyone is violating the law.
Following the resumption of inter-district buses, there were many vehicles in the capital with typical traffic jams. There was a huge traffic jam at Paltan intersection to Shahbagh. Due to the excess rush of passengers, many were seen going to officers on foot. There were no police checks like before.
Although shopping malls and shops were supposed to be open ensuring hygiene rules, there was an attitude of reluctance among people to wear masks and social distance.
