Eid Travel: Early Journeys to Avoid Congestion

With nearly a week to go before the holy festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, thousands of Dhaka residents have already begun their journeys home. On Saturday morning (14 March), Dhaka Railway Station was bustling with passengers eager to return to their villages ahead of the anticipated holiday crowds. Many were travelling with their families, while others were sending relatives ahead to settle in before the festival.

Observations at the station revealed a mix of passengers: some departing with entire families, others escorting only certain members while returning themselves later. Most travellers explained that they preferred to leave early to avoid the heavy congestion and potential inconvenience closer to Eid.

Miraz ur Rahman, a student and passenger on the Burimari Express, said, “I will be alighting at Kaunia Station. Trains are the most comfortable mode of transport to northern Bangladesh. To avoid the usual hassle, I decided to travel a little earlier.” He added, “The closer it gets to Eid, the stronger the pull of home. Long journeys by train are far less tiring and safer than road travel.”

Meanwhile, Humayun Ahmed Himu, a passenger on the Jamalpur Express, stated, “The stations get extremely crowded during Eid. That is why I am travelling early with my mother and younger sister. We have also completed all our Eid shopping in advance. At present, the station is relatively calm. My father will arrive at our village on 17 March, but he brought us to the station today. The joy of Eid has already begun here.”

Bangladesh Railway began special arrangements for Eid train travel on 13 March, making Saturday the second day of the schedule. Heightened security measures have been implemented at the station entrances, where tickets are checked twice before passengers are allowed to enter. No one without a valid ticket is permitted inside.

A Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) clarified, “Those attempting to enter without a ticket are strictly denied access. If a family of four has only three tickets, one standing ticket is arranged at the prescribed fare. We are taking every measure to maintain order and ensure that no passenger enters without a valid ticket.”

Today, a total of 30 intercity trains will depart from Dhaka to destinations across the country. The combined seating capacity of these trains is 28,926, with 23 trains serving the eastern regions and 17 trains heading west. Bangladesh Railway sold the majority of these seats online on 4 March.

Dhaka’s Intercity Train Schedule and Capacity

Officials emphasise that early departures not only reduce passenger stress but also help manage station congestion. With strict ticket controls and increased security, Bangladesh Railway aims to provide a smooth, organised travel experience for the millions journeying home for Eid.