Dhaka is witnessing an unprecedented exodus as residents leave the capital in large numbers to return to their hometowns ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum, now just two days away.
The impact of the pre-election rush was evident across the city on Tuesday. Streets that are usually congested were unusually quiet, with significantly reduced traffic. Public transport within the city was operating at minimal capacity, adding to the challenges for daily commuters.
Major transport hubs—including Kamalapur Railway Station, Gabtoli, and Mohakhali Bus Terminals—were packed with outbound passengers carrying luggage, while office-goers faced difficulties securing buses for their morning commutes.
Journalish Zahid Hasan described the scene: “There are almost no public buses on the roads. The bus stands are overcrowded, and people have to wait a long time. Even when one or two buses arrive, boarding is extremely difficult.”
The surge of voters leaving the capital extended to major highways. Dhaka-Aricha, Dhaka-Mymensingh, and Dhaka-Chattogram routes saw heavy outbound traffic throughout the day. In some cases, passengers unable to obtain train or bus tickets resorted to travelling on train rooftops or in trucks to reach their hometowns in time to cast their votes.
The voter exodus has been further driven by government-declared holidays for the election, combined with school holidays, which began on Tuesday and will continue until 15 February. These measures have accelerated the flow of people out of the capital, leaving Dhaka unusually empty just days before polling day.
Authorities have deployed law enforcement personnel at major bus terminals, railway stations, and highway choke points to manage the crowd and ensure safety. However, the massive movement of voters underscores both the logistical challenges and the intensity of public participation anticipated in the upcoming election.
A massive rush of homebound people has hit the highways of the industrial hub Gazipur following the announcement of a continuous four-day holiday for the election.
As a result, an unprecedented traffic congestion stretching nearly 50 kilometers has formed on the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways.
Taking advantage of the situation, transport operators have been accused of charging triple the usual fares.
Visits to the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways revealed the severe congestion on Tuesday morning (10 February). Passengers reported that fares normally set at Tk500 were being charged at Tk1,200 to Tk1,500.
Angered by the excessive fares, travelers reportedly blocked the road for a short time in the Chandana Chourasta-Mawna area of Gazipur.
Traffic jams were observed on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway from Tongi College Gate to Mawna Chourasta, and on the Dhaka-Tangail highway from the Bhogra area of Gazipur to the Kaliakair Bypass. In many places, vehicles remained stuck for hours.
Earlier, from Monday afternoon, more than 400 industrial factories in different parts of Gazipur announced holidays, triggering a growing exodus of workers heading home from the evening onward.
