Early Eid Rail Rush Begins

With nearly a week still remaining before the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, thousands of people have already begun leaving the capital, Dhaka, to return to their hometowns. Passengers were seen gathering at Dhaka Railway Station from early Saturday morning (14 March), signalling the start of the annual Eid travel rush as families seek to avoid the intense congestion typically experienced closer to the holiday.

Many travellers arrived at the station with family members, while others were sending relatives ahead to their villages. A visit to the station revealed a steady flow of passengers boarding trains bound for different regions of the country. Several travellers explained that they had deliberately chosen to depart early in order to avoid last-minute crowds, ticket shortages, and the general inconvenience that often accompanies peak Eid travel.

Miraj Ur Rahman, a passenger on the Burimari Express, said he would disembark at Kaunia station in northern Bangladesh. According to him, trains remain the most comfortable and reliable means of transport for journeys to the northern districts. “The emotional pull of home becomes stronger as Eid approaches,” he said. “To avoid the expected rush and travel difficulties, I decided to leave a little earlier this year.”

He also noted that long-distance travel by train tends to be less tiring than road journeys. Compared with buses, trains provide a smoother ride and greater safety, particularly for routes connecting Dhaka with the northern regions.

Another passenger, Humayun Ahmed Himu, who was travelling on the Jamalpur Express, said he had decided to take his mother and younger sister home in advance of the main holiday rush. “Passenger numbers increase dramatically during Eid,” he explained. “That is why I am leaving early with my family. We have already finished our Eid shopping.”

Himu added that the station was still relatively manageable in terms of crowd levels. His father, who will remain in Dhaka for work a few more days, plans to travel to their village home on 17 March after the official holiday begins. “He dropped us at the station himself today. For us, the joy of Eid has already begun,” he said.

Bangladesh Railway introduced special arrangements for Eid travel beginning on 13 March, and Saturday marked the second day of the extended schedule. Additional security measures have been implemented at Dhaka Railway Station to maintain order during the busy travel period.

Passengers must pass through two separate ticket verification points before entering the station premises. Railway authorities have made it clear that only ticket-holding passengers are allowed inside, while those without valid tickets are strictly barred from entry.

Travelling Ticket Examiners (TTEs) on duty confirmed that enforcement has been tightened this year. However, in cases where a family arrives with one extra member beyond the number of purchased tickets—for instance, four passengers holding three tickets—a standing ticket may be issued at the standard fare.

Officials said these measures are intended to ensure discipline and prevent overcrowding at the station during the Eid travel season.

On Saturday alone, a total of 30 intercity trains were scheduled to depart Dhaka for destinations across the country. Combined, these trains offer 28,926 seats. Bangladesh Railway sold the tickets online on 4 March in order to streamline the booking process and reduce physical queues at ticket counters.

Below is a summary of the seat distribution for Saturday’s intercity services:

Railway officials expect passenger numbers to increase sharply in the coming days as the Eid holiday draws nearer. Travellers are therefore being advised to plan their journeys early and ensure they have valid tickets to avoid inconvenience during one of the busiest travel periods of the year in Bangladesh.