Dhaka, Feb. 10 -- A large number of people are leaving Dhaka ahead of the election holidays, creating heavy pressure on public transport as many operators charge nearly double the usual fares due to risisng demand.

Visiting Abdullahpur bus terminal on Tuesday morning, UNB found a huge crowd of passengers waiting for buses amid an acute shortage of available seats.

Monjurul Islam, a private sector employee, said he came to Abdullahpur from Narayanganj after failing to get a seat there.

"The situation here is almost the same. There are very few buses and most are already overcrowded. I have been waiting for more than two hours but still could not board a bus."

A woman travelling to Sirajganj alleged that transport operators are charging...