LAHORE: Millions of outsiders residing in the provincial capital have started to leave for their hometowns to celebrate Eidul Fitr with their loved ones, Pakistan Today has observed.
While according to estimates, at least five million people will be leaving Lahore in total, all these migrations are expected to end by Friday night for those living in nearby districts are expected to leave on Chaand Raat.
With the federal and Punjab governments announcing two holidays i.e. Friday and Monday to let people enjoy four holidays, the Lahore Railway Station flooded with passengers yesterday as most families with children and luggage preferred trains on buses.
On this Eid, Pakistan Railways is operating five special trains to facilitate passengers from different city stations including Lahore to cater heavy rush of commuters.
Railways officials told Pakistan Today that booking of special trains had already reached 100 per cent and bookings for regular trains had also been completed. They further said that regular trains would also run with extra coaches to accommodate more passengers.
He also told that Railways, this year, had obliging aged people as it had announced free travel for citizens above 65 years of age.
Following the mass exodus, a huge rush was also witnessed at key bus stands of the city including the City District Bus terminal. At most of the bus stands, commuters found complaining against transporters for overcharging despite strict warnings by the city administration. Amid all the complaints, National Highway and Motorway Police have formed a special force to deal with such complaints.
A representative of a transport company while justifying this increase said the owners of public transport were overcharging to cover the losses they will have to face when they return to the city without any passengers.
Many people have complained about the lack of facilities at all such bus terminals including security arrangements.
On the other hand, spokesman of the Lahore police told Pakistan Today that the department had geared up to protect the commuters at all bus stands and extra measures had been taken to avoid any untoward incidents during Eid days.
