With the holy festival of Eid-ul-Azha approaching, thousands have begun leaving the capital to celebrate with their families in their village homes.
From early Saturday, the homebound rush gained momentum as people holding advance tickets for trains, buses, and launches started their journeys. Students and family members of government, semi-government, and private employees were seen departing from various transport terminals across the city.
Kamalapur Railway Station saw a steady stream of travellers throughout the day, while bus counters of major transport companies—including SA Paribahan, Hanif, Nabil, Shyamoli, Agomoni, Bablu, Pabna Express, Shohagh, Golden Line, and Darshana Deluxe—remained crowded with passengers eager to leave Dhaka.
Although the official public holidays for Eid-ul-Azha begin on June 5, many have opted to leave early to avoid last-minute travel hassles and potential delays.
To ensure a smooth Eid travel experience, Bangladesh Railway has introduced special arrangements for train operations. Only those who purchased advance tickets on May 21 are traveling Saturday.
As a result, Kamalapur Railway Station saw a steady presence of passengers from early Saturday morning, although the crowd was relatively manageable.
Between 6:00 AM and 9:30 AM on Saturday, a total of 12 intercity trains departed from Dhaka to various destinations across the country.
A visit to Kamalapur Station during that time revealed that passengers had started arriving from dawn. To ensure their safety, a three-tier security check system was implemented. No passengers without valid tickets were allowed to enter the station premises.
Security has been ramped up at major railway stations including Dhaka, Airport, Joydebpur, Chattogram, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Rajshahi, and Khulna. Multiple agencies—Government Railway Police (GRP), Railway Nirapatta Bahini (RNB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), local police, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)—are maintaining round-the-clock vigilance to prevent entry of ticketless passengers.
A three-tier security screening system has also been deployed to ensure safety within the station premises. Only passengers with valid tickets were allowed inside.
Travelers expressed satisfaction with the on-time train departures and the improved travel conditions. Despite difficulties in purchasing tickets online, many were relieved by the smooth and safe boarding experience.
Mohammad Shamim, a bank official, said, “Last year, we all left together and faced a lot of trouble. This time, I’m sending my wife and children ahead. I’ll follow in four days. The biggest comfort is knowing they’ll arrive safely.”
Private sector employee Asma Akter said, “My parents are already home. Today, I’m sending my kids with their aunt. My leave starts on June 5, so I’ll leave then. The fact that trains are running on time gives me peace of mind.”
However, not everyone had a smooth experience. Due to high demand, some passengers had to travel on standing-only tickets, while others who arrived late were disappointed to find no tickets available.
“I tried both online and at the counter but couldn’t get a seat,” said Rabeya Khatun, a passenger bound for Mymensingh. “I finally got a standing ticket today. I might not get a seat, but at least I’m going home.”
Bangladesh Railway officials assured that every possible measure has been taken to facilitate hassle-free Eid travel. “All trains arrived in Dhaka by last night and are now leaving on schedule,” one official said.
Special Eid train services began Saturday, May 31. Bangladesh Railway has taken special measures to maintain train punctuality and avoid schedule disruptions. Separate monitoring cells have been established at both divisional and zonal levels, with emergency duties assigned to officials to ensure safe and efficient train operations.
According to the railway's Eid action plan, important and junction stations, as well as signal cabins, will be supervised by officials and inspectors to maintain timeliness. Railway patrols have also been arranged to prevent accidents and maintain schedules.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC), private bus operators, and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) have also made special travel arrangements to ensure passengers reach their destinations safely.
Law enforcement agencies including the police, RAB, BGB, and highway police are on high alert, working to ensure smooth and safe movement of vehicles on highways and roads during the Eid holidays.
