Post-Eid return calms despite train delays
People have started returning to Dhaka after celebrating Eid-ul-Azha with their families, but the usual rush and heavy pressure on trains, launches, and roads have not been seen this year.
Passengers are returning to the capital by rail, waterway, and road in a comparatively smooth and comfortable manner. However, transport officials said passenger pressure may increase once schools and colleges reopen.
On Monday morning, several Dhaka-bound trains arrived at Kamalapur Railway Station with normal passenger numbers. The Dhaka Mail Express from Chattogram reached the station without any major crowd pressure.
The Ekta Express and Jamalpur Express arrived at Kamalapur around 10:00am, though passengers said both trains were delayed by one and a half to two hours. The Rangpur Express reached the station around four hours behind schedule.
Kamalapur Railway Station Manager Md. Kabir Uddin acknowledged the delays and said people were returning to Dhaka after the Eid holiday, but passenger pressure remained normal. He added that the rush could increase after educational institutions reopen.
Meanwhile, passengers from 21 districts have also been returning to the capital by launch through Sadarghat. Launches arriving from the morning carried Dhaka-bound passengers, but no major overcrowding was reported. Some passengers, however, complained of minor inconvenience due to delayed arrivals.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority said fear of storms may have discouraged many passengers from travelling by launch. No accidents have been reported so far.
People have also begun returning to Dhaka by road after the Eid holiday, but transport terminals and highways have not witnessed the usual post-Eid crowd.
