On Tuesday, the fourth day of the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday rush, Bangladesh’s railway network witnessed overwhelming crowds as thousands of people attempted to leave Dhaka for their ancestral homes. At Kamalapur Railway Station, intercity trains departing since early morning were packed beyond capacity. Due to the extreme shortage of space, many passengers were observed travelling in hazardous conditions, including clinging to carriage doors and sitting on train roofs.
Passenger Struggles and Ticket Shortages
Sabuj Mondal, a hospital employee in Dhaka travelling to Sirajganj, typified the struggle of the average commuter. Despite attempting to purchase a ticket online at 8:00 AM, he found all seats sold out within minutes. Consequently, he was forced to purchase a standing ticket. Upon reaching the station, the congestion was so severe that he could only find space by sitting precariously at the carriage door.
Similarly, Mohan Bhattacharya, an employee at a battery factory in Narail, travelled via Dhaka to reach his home in Tangail. Hanging from the door of the Rajshahi-bound Bonolata Express, he noted that despite the significant danger, the desire to spend the rare annual holiday with family left him with no other viable option.
Observations of Railway Operations
The morning schedule saw several key intercity services departing with passengers riding on the roofs, a practice that remains a persistent safety concern. Notable departures included:
| Train Name | Departure Time | Destination | Observed Condition |
| Nilsagar Express | 08:10 AM | Chilahati | Excessive passengers on the roof |
| Ekota Express | 10:50 AM | Panchagarh | Overcrowded inside and on roofs |
| Bonolata Express | Scheduled Morning | Rajshahi | Severe congestion at doors and aisles |
Official Response from Railway Authorities
Director General of Bangladesh Railway, Md. Afzal Hossain, visited Kamalapur Railway Station at approximately 12:00 PM to inspect the situation. Addressing the media, he stated that most trains had maintained their schedules and argued that passengers were reaching their destinations without major disruptions.
However, when questioned about the prevalent roof-riding, Hossain emphasised that such actions are a punishable offence. He explained that while the authorities discourage the practice, enforcing it remains a challenge during the Eid rush. Attempting to forcibly remove all passengers from the roofs often results in further chaos and significant delays to the train schedule.
The Director General acknowledged that the current fleet of trains is insufficient to meet the seasonal demand. He confirmed that a formal requisition has been submitted for the procurement of additional locomotives and carriages to expand capacity for future holiday periods.