Millions leave Lahore to enjoy Eid with beloved

LAHORE: Like every year on the eve of Eidul Azha, the provincial capital of Punjab has witnessed an estimated mass exodus of more than three million people ahead of long weekend as people bid goodbye to provincial capital.

The exodus started on Wednesday and would continue until Thursday night but would reach its climax on Friday (today). It was witnessed that the city roads, business points, bazaars and shopping malls were not messy. Eidul Azha will be celebrated on Saturday and as per the notifications holidays will start from Friday (today) to October 29, owing to which people hailed from other towns started leaving Lahore to celebrate Eid with friends and their beloved.

This happens on several occasions during the year especially on Eids as a number of people settled in Lahore due to their jobs return to their hometowns to spend holidays with their dear ones. This Eid four official Eid holidays provided a long weekend not only to the people hailing from the other districts but also to the Lahoris as well.

It is worth mentioning that almost half of the people living in Lahore belong to other districts and towns. The provincial capital almost gives a deserted look during such special festivities. It would be easy to understand that the population of Lahore is about 9.8 million and the city gives a desolate look after the departure of 3 million people. Railway station, general bus stand at Badami Bagh, city bus terminal Sikandria Colony, Sherankot, Ferozepur Road, Shahdara and Yateem Khana bus terminals observed tens of thousands of people moving out of the city.

Keeping in mind the mass exodus the transport owners started minting money by increasing fares. On the other hand, a limited number of vehicles also forced the commuters to pay extra money to get seats to have a comfortable journey. The transporters exploited the situation in their favour and minted three to four times extra fare from the commuters. The passengers complained of being fleeced by the transporters, something that is not unusual on this occasion.

The commuters and the passengers for the inter-district routes seemed helpless. The people wanted to leave city with the families seemed more worried about their journey as they were not in a position to travel while facing hardships. Those who can afford overcharging were found buying tickets but there were many that found registering their protest and complaining against this illegal action of the transporters. Interestingly, there was not even a single official of the city administration to curb overcharging. Seeking anonymity, the representatives of the transport authorities, said said apparently it seemed odd but overcharging was just to cover the expected loss. “The vehicles will return empty so who will compensate the transporters,” they said.