A modern bus terminal, built with an investment of nearly Taka 20 crore to ease traffic congestion in Bhola's Char Fashion municipality, has now become a hotspot for drug users and illegal gambling.
Located two kilometers away from the town center, the terminal has been abandoned since November, with no buses operating from the facility.
As dusk falls, the once-promising terminal transforms into a haven for drug users and gamblers. Groups of young men and teenagers gather, while gambling rings operate openly under dim candlelight. Local residents living near the terminal are facing increasing difficulties due to rising crime, including frequent incidents of mugging.
With bus services relocated back to the town’s main market area, congestion has worsened, affecting both traders and pedestrians. Bus drivers argue that a CNG station inside the market has reduced passenger demand for long-haul buses, prompting them to abandon the new terminal and return to their old stand in the market.
According to Char Fashion Municipality, construction of the terminal began in July 2017 and was completed in 2018. The facility boasts a modern three-story building with a 7,500 sq. ft. glass-covered structure, VIP lounges, waiting rooms, restaurants, a mosque, meeting halls, and multiple ticket counters. The terminal officially began operations on August 2, 2018. However, following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, it has since been neglected.
On-site observations reveal the terminal’s deteriorating condition. Costly furniture is being damaged due to lack of use, while garbage has turned the premises into a dumping ground. Dust covers the ticket counters, and parts of the terminal have become littered with waste as locals use it for indiscriminate dumping.
Residents report a growing sense of unease. “For the past two months, the area has felt haunted. As soon as evening arrives, outsiders gather here in groups. Many teenagers have been beaten by drug users for peeking into their activities,” said local resident Arif Howlader.
Sohail, another local, described the eerie nighttime scene: "Dim lights flicker inside the abandoned rooms, the smell of burnt substances fills the air, and loud gambling sessions take place every night."
Police have increased patrols in response to rising criminal activities, but offenders often flee as soon as law enforcement approaches.
Char Fashion Bus Owners Association Secretary, Sobuj Miah, explained that increased fuel prices have led to higher fares, making it costly for passengers to travel to the distant terminal, resulting in its abandonment.
Char Fashion Police Station officer-in-charge Mizanur Rahman Howlader, acknowledged the rise in crime in the terminal area and assured that police patrols have been intensified.
Meanwhile, Char Fashion Upazila Nirbahi Officer and acting municipal administrator, Rasna Sharmin Mithi, stated that the terminal was leased out last year, and discussions are ongoing with bus operators to restore services and bring the facility back to use.
Until a resolution is reached, the multi-crore facility continues to decay, serving not as a transportation hub but as a breeding ground for illicit activities.
