On the second day of Eid-ul-Fitr, Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Station witnessed an overwhelming surge of passengers heading home, mirroring the congestion seen on the previous day. From early morning, the station was bustling with travellers, with the heaviest crowds reported on trains bound for Chittagong and Sylhet.
Railway officials confirmed that train services operated according to the scheduled timetable. However, the number of passengers far exceeded the trains’ designed capacity. The Chittagong-bound Mahanagar Express, which departed in the morning, carried nearly twice the number of passengers compared to available seating. Many travellers were forced to stand in corridors, cluster near doors, or even take the risk of riding on the roof due to lack of space inside carriages.
Speaking to passengers at the station, it was revealed that several individuals travelled without valid tickets to reach their families in time for the celebrations. Chittagong-bound passenger Md. Bashir said, “I tried repeatedly to get a ticket but couldn’t. I couldn’t bear missing Eid with my family, so I took the risk and boarded the train. The crowd is enormous; standing is inevitable.”
Another traveller, Mohsina Khatun, expressed concern for her child: “Travelling with a young child has become extremely difficult. Still, I had no choice but to board amidst the crowd. I am worried about safety, but home beckons.”
Kamalapur Station Manager Md. Sajedul Islam noted that passenger volumes during Eid are several times higher than usual. “Even with additional coaches and on-time operations, handling this surge is a major challenge,” he said. Officials emphasised that railway police and volunteer staff are deployed to ensure passenger safety and smooth movement. Travellers are urged to avoid unnecessary risks and only travel with valid tickets.
Experts anticipate that this surge of homebound passengers will continue for the next few days as families return from the city after celebrating Eid.
A summary of some major trains and their passenger loads is as follows:
| Train Name | Destination | Morning Passengers | Seating Capacity | Overcrowding (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahanagar Express | Chittagong | 1,200 | 650 | 85% |
| Sylhet Express | Sylhet | 900 | 500 | 80% |
| Dhaka-Chittagong Intercity | Chittagong | 1,100 | 600 | 83% |
Railway authorities stressed that while additional coaches and staff help manage the crowds, the priority remains passenger safety. Travellers are encouraged to plan ahead, obtain valid tickets, and remain vigilant amid the ongoing festive rush.
The station remains a focal point of activity as thousands continue to embark on the annual journey home, sharing the joy of Eid with their families despite the challenges posed by extreme crowding.