Chittagong Returns to Familiar Hustle After Eid Holidays

Life in Chittagong returned to its busy routine on Monday (June 1) as government and private offices, banks, insurance companies, and courts reopened following a seven-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday.

A week-long public holiday was observed from May 25 to May 31. By Monday morning, key intersections across Chittagong city—including Bahaddarhat, Gate No. 2, GEC, New Market, Agrabad, AK Khan, Alankar, Chawkbazar, and the EPZ area—reported familiar traffic congestion due to a heavy surge of buses, rickshaws, and private cars. While emergency services like healthcare, utilities, fire service, and telecommunications remained operational throughout the festival, regular retail markets are expected to fully open over the next 48 hours.

Financial sectors resumed standard operations seamlessly. Banking and insurance transactions are back to their regular schedules, while the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) commenced trading from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM, with office hours running from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Meanwhile, a massive rush of return-holidaymakers was visible at major transit hubs. Chittagong Railway Station saw heavy crowds of passengers arriving from villages and departing for Dhaka. Due to high demand, online train tickets cleared out instantly, forcing many Dhaka-bound passengers to travel using standing tickets. Long-distance bus counters in the Garibullah Shah area operated at full capacity, and flights out of Shah Amanat International Airport remained fully booked, with some passengers reporting higher airfares for last-minute bookings.