LAHORE - Thousands of people returned Lahore yesterday after spending more than a week of Eid holidays in their hometowns and villages.

City’s entry and exit point witnessed a huge rush of traffic especially in evening which continued till late night. Long queues of vehicles were seen from Patoki to Thoker Niaz Beg bypass and from Sheikhupura to Azadi Chowk. Even as the Motorways and Highways Police made great efforts to streamline the traffic, the rush remained uncontrollable for hours.

“We remain stuck in traffic for three hours from Patoki to Thokar,” said Bilal who returned from Multan by his own car. The distance (Patoki to Lahore), he said, usually could be covered in one hour maximum.

The transporters as usual fleeced the commuters with high fare on their return. The fare from Jhang to Lahore is being charged Rs400 on common days which went double on Eid days. The known transport companies like Daewoo, Faisal Movers, Skyways, Niazi Express etc, however, charged the old fare.

People had to wait for hours in their native cities to get ticket and seat on buses. Some travellers who arrived from different cities at City Terminal told The Nation that they waited for hours in queues to get ticket at bus terminals in their cities. They also complained about overcharging by transporters.

More than four to five millions commuters leave Lahore twice in a year to spend Eidul Fitr and Eidul Azha at their native towns. Overcharging, traffic mess and rush at bus terminals is a common practice during Eid days. The city presents deserted look on Eid days as usual businesses controlled by outsiders remain shut and routs present empty look. Main rush only can be seen at City historical sites, parks and restaurants on Eid holidays.

This time people enjoyed more than a week long holidays at their homes. The usual business of the provincial metropolis will start today.