As the nation prepares for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, Monday marked the last working day before the festivities, bringing a surge of homebound travellers to Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Station. Compared with the preceding two days, passenger congestion intensified sharply, with many rushing to catch their trains and begin their holiday journeys.
Busy Scenes Across Platforms
A midday visit to Kamalapur revealed bustling platforms crowded with passengers laden with luggage. Families with small children, office-goers, and students were seen waiting, either standing or seated, for their trains to arrive. Announcements over the public address system about arriving or departing trains triggered a flurry of activity, as passengers hurried towards their respective platforms or scrambled to organise their belongings while lining up. The moment a train pulled into a platform, a wave of excitement and urgency swept through the crowd.
At Platform 6, bank officer Ayatullah shared his experience: “Today was my final day at the office. I left early to get home. My children are already on holiday, so I sent them ahead.” On the same platform, private-sector employee Al-Amin added, “Our office remains open, but I took leave to go home. After working all year, Eid is the time to be with family.”
Standing Tickets and Platform Crowds
The final working day saw a noticeable rise in passengers holding standing tickets compared with the past three days. Those boarding the Rajshahi-bound Silk City Express from Platform 7 faced particular difficulties, with overcrowding leading to complaints. One traveller remarked, “Everyone is going home, but even ticketed passengers are struggling to get on the train.”
The table below summarises the situation at some of the busiest platforms on Monday:
| Platform | Main Passengers | Crowd Type | Observations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Bank officers, families | Dense, seated & standing | Relatively organised, minor rush |
| 7 | Silk City Express travellers | Standing ticket holders | Overcrowded, boarding difficulties |
| 5 | Private-sector commuters | Moderate | Waiting and luggage handling delays |
Early Arrival to Avoid Road Congestion
Anticipating heavy traffic on city roads, several passengers opted to arrive at the station well ahead of their train’s departure. Among them was Sayed Abdullah, a university student, who said, “I live in Mohammadpur. I knew the roads would be jammed today, so I came early to avoid delays.”
Overall, the station offered a vivid picture of the pre-Eid rush: a blend of urgency, excitement, and family anticipation. Platforms thronged with passengers, luggage, and children, all contributing to the lively, almost chaotic atmosphere typical of the final working day before the festive season.
