LAHORE
Thousands people left the provincial capital Friday for their hometowns to spend Eidul Azha with their families and friends amid high fares by transporters.
Although the exodus began on a couple of days ago, Friday witnessed heavy rush at bus terminals and railways stations. The exodus will complete on Sunday night as the majority of the people live in the provincial metropolis and are from nearer cities like Kashur, Okara, Sheikhupura, Narowal, Gujranwala and others would also leave the city on that day.
Those who left Lahore on last couple of days earlier were included workers at industrial units, university students, those businessmen whom business is unrelated to Eid shopping, owners of small hotels and restaurants and labourers. About one third residents left to their native town from colonies like Model Town, Johar Town, Allama Iqbal Town, Gulsham Ravi, Township, Green Town and others.
The City would present almost deserted look on Sunday and Eid days. The exodus happened twice in year on Eidul Fitr and Eidul Azha when almost four to five million people leave Lahore to enjoy Eid celebrations with their families and friend at their hometowns.
Friday was the day when great rush was witnessed at city bus terminals and Lahore Railways Station, however, the roads would be comparatively calm on Saturday and Sunday. Number of people with their families and luggage were seen at General Bus Stands, Niazi Bus Stands 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.
Passengers complained that transporters were charging almost double fare besides full fair for the luggage and there were no authorities to stop them from overcharging. Fleecing the people by the transport owners on these days is usual routine. The standard transport companies, however, take the fare from the passengers as it has been mentioned at fare list. Some transporters say that they charge high from the passengers on Eid days as buses come back to Lahore with almost 60 per cent empty.
Pakistan Railways announced 14 special trains to cater the rush of the passengers before the Eid and around three among them would leave from Lahore. The Railways has also announced 33 per cent decrease in fare on Eidul Azha.