Amid the roaring business of transporters, millions of homebound people left provincial metropolis on Wednesday to celebrate the Eid holidays with their dear ones and friends at their native abode while the remaining thousands went to their destinations on today.
Eid exodus, however, would complete on Thursday (today) morning as the people who do businesses or working class and belong to nearer cities of Lahore like Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Narowal, Sialkot, Kasur, Patto Ki, etc would leave the City at midnight or early hours of Thursday morning.
It may be mentioned here that more than three million people leave Lahore on every Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha for their hometowns to celebrate festivals with the families and friends. As a result, the provincial metropolis gradually experiences the taste of a city of less people and less public vehicles plying the roads. Lahore will almost present deserted look on Thursday.
Although a large number of government officials who got week-long vacation including festival and weekly holidays from the offices had left the City on Tuesday, but the biggest exodus was made on Thursday. About one third residents left to their native town from colonies like Model Town, Johar Town, Allama Iqbal Town, Gulshan-e-Ravi, Township, Green Town, etc.
Tuesday and Wednesday was the day when great rush was witnessed at city bus terminals and Lahore Railways Station, however, the roads of Lahore were comparatively calm on Wednesday night. A mini van conductor at Multan Road said that rush had been decreased to 70 percent as compared to Thursday. However, number of people with their families and luggage were seen at General Bus Stands, Niazi Bus Stand, New Khan bus stand, Skyways bus stand and at City Bus Terminal. Traffic was packed at city entrance and exit points on night. Passengers were also seen standing at Thoker Niaz Beg bypass, Shera Kot, Yadgar Chowk and Batti Chowk.
With the first phase of exodus started Wednesday evening many passengers felt that the transporters were exploiting them, not only in terms of charging higher fares but in terms of indirect fares. Some transporters say that they charge high from the passengers on Eid days as buses come back to Lahore with almost 70 per cent low seat occupancy.
Pakistan Railway police has taken special security measures for the protection of the passengers. Additional policemen have been deployed on the Railway Stations and passengers are directed to enter the trains after passing security walk through. Meanwhile, Punjab Ombudsman took serious notice of overhanging by the private bus owners and directed to Punjab Police and Punjab Transport Authority to take strict action against the violators. When contacted, Regional Transport Authority (RTA), he said fine are imposed on the violators and Adan Khan, Addah Manger, has been arrested for overcharging.
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