Trains run on time as Eid rail rush builds, 'standing ticket' demand steady

People heading home ahead of the Eid holidays have been seeing mostly smooth journeys, with trains departing Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Station largely on schedule and passengers without bookings still able to get standing tickets.

The fourth day of Eid travel by train passed without major disruption on Monday, a day before the start of the official holiday.

Kamalapur Station Manager Md Sajedul Islam said 22 trains had left the station between morning and 1 pm.

Among them, the “Nilsagar Express” to the north left about half an hour late, he claimed, while the remaining trains departed on time.

He said the authorities had a multi-dimensional plan to make Eid journeys “comfortable” and hoped that everything would “remain normal” this time.

Arzan Khan, who was waiting at the platform in Kamalapur Railway Station, said he felt the urge that many people feel to return to their roots and their dear ones on Eid.

He said, “It doesn’t even feel like Eid if one fails to go home. We must go to our village homes, whatever the cost. That’s why I bought the ticket in advance.”

A native of Shayestaganj in Sylhet, Arzan lives in Dhaka’s Mirpur and works at a private company. His Eid vacation will start from Tuesday, but to “avoid trouble”, he is sending his wife and children ahead, putting them on the train.

He said, "It is typical for the crowd to intensify when the vacation starts from tomorrow, so I am sending my wife and children in advance. I bought the tickets online. There was no problem."

Riasat, a private sector employee, bought a ticket to Brahmanbaria on the same train. He said, "This time, the station seems to be in good condition. Tickets are being checked several times as people enter. If such strict rules are maintained, it will be good for those of us who bought tickets."

Billal, another passenger, bought a standing ticket for the same train after failing to get a ticket online. The Brahmanbaria native said, "I tried online but couldn't get a ticket. But I have to go home no matter what happens. So, I came to the station and got a standing ticket. There is no crowd today, I think I can travel comfortably."

The train was scheduled to leave at 11:15am, but it was standing on the platform at 11:30am. When asked, the train's TT Rakibul Islam said, "It is being prepared and will leave now. We don't consider the delay of 10-15 minutes as running late - it can happen at any time."

Due to high demand and many people trying to access the website at the same time, many passengers were unable to buy tickets online. Even then, there are “standing ticket” arrangements at the station for those who want to travel.

A “special arrangement” has been made to collect 25 per cent of the standing tickets for non-AC coaches from the station before the train departs.

Regarding standing tickets, TT Rakibul said, "There is not much pressure yet. Those who are coming are entering with tickets from the counter. They are being allowed inside after checking their tickets twice, but even then, some people keep coming (without tickets). They are being given tickets along with a fine on the platform."

Long before entering the station platform, separate lines have been created using temporary gates made of bamboo. Passengers are being allowed to enter after checking their tickets at these gates.

A person in charge there said, "We are allowing passengers to enter after checking them fully."

Later, another ticket check was seen taking place just before passengers entered the platform by the train line. Volunteer scout members joined the checks alongside the railway staff.

Kamalapur Station Manager Md Sajedul Islam said around 60 trains, including intercity trains, mail trains and commuter trains would leave Dhaka on Monday.

"Of these, 22 trains have left. One of those 22 trains left 30 minutes late. The rest left roughly on time."

He also said that Eid special trains will start running from today.

Highlighting the efforts to bar ticketless passengers, he said: "Queues have been created very neatly. Checks are being conducted at three levels at the gates to block ticketless passengers. Railway employees, Ansar and GRP police are deployed at each point at all the points of the station through which illegal passengers can enter. There is no opportunity for illegal intrusion or for ticketless passengers to enter the station."

Regarding the measures taken to prevent passengers from travelling on the train roofs, he said: “Last time we witnessed that towards the end (of the travel before Eid), some passengers got on the train roofs. We’re trying to ensure that this time, no passenger can get on the roofs. The committee is working on that.”

Complaints were raised that trains running to the northern part of the country sometimes have passengers boarding at the Airport Station on their return trips to Dhaka. Hence, this time those trains would not stop at the Airport Station, he said.

The railway officer said, “I believe that the train schedule is running perfectly today, the fourth day of Eid travel. I hope it will remain the same until the end.”