Following a one-day holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr, train services from Dhaka to various destinations across the country have resumed. On Tuesday, only intercity trains departed from Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Station, while the return journey of Eid travelers also began.
However, trains leaving Dhaka saw low passenger turnout, with most seats remaining empty. Railway officials anticipate that trains returning to Dhaka from different parts of the country will be more crowded.
Shahadat Hossain, Manager of Kamalapur Railway Station, told Jago News, "There was a one-day holiday for Eid. Train services resumed this morning. The Dhaka-Rajshahi-bound Dhumketu Express left at 6:00 am, followed by the Egarsindhur Provati at 7:15 am, the Teesta Express at 7:30 am, and the Mahanagar Provati at 7:45 am, along with several other trains."
He added, "The trains currently have very few passengers. Throughout this week, fewer people will be traveling out of Dhaka. However, we expect return trains to be crowded. We have made the necessary preparations to ensure that intercity trains depart on time, allowing them to return as scheduled. If we maintain this schedule, the return journey will be smoother and more comfortable for passengers."
The day after Eid, Kamalapur Railway Station appeared deserted. Apart from station workers and porters, few people were present. Occasionally, one or two travelers entered the station.
Most of those traveling today had not purchased tickets in advance but were buying them at the counter just before departure. Afzal Hossain, a young traveler, was seen purchasing a ticket for the Kishoreganj Express. He said, "I spent Eid in Dhaka and initially planned to visit home later. But suddenly, I felt like going, so I woke up and came to the station."
Rafiqul Islam, a longtime porter at Kamalapur Railway Station, noted, "Right now, there’s no work. Return trains will start arriving in the afternoon, and that’s when the crowd will build up. I’m waiting until then."