Eid Exodus: Passengers Face Ticket Troubles and Train Overcrowding
Homebound travelers are leaving Dhaka during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, heading to different parts of the country by bus, train, launch, and motorcycle to celebrate Eid with their families.
Many passengers say trains remain their first choice for Eid travel, although tickets are in high demand. As a result, many are forced to opt for buses after failing to secure train tickets.
Software engineer Nahid Islam described his frustrating experience while trying to purchase a train ticket to travel to his hometown in Jashore. He said that after selecting a ticket, it disappears at the moment of proceeding to payment, leaving him confused.
However, during a visit to Dhaka Railway Station on 13 March, Railways Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam had expressed optimism, stating that comfortable journeys would be ensured for passengers during Eid. Despite this assurance, travelers have continued to report difficulties ranging from online ticketing issues to hardships during travel.
From Monday, 16 March, netizens have been highlighting discomfort and irregularities in train travel on social media. One such user, MD Tuhin Sarowar, posted a photo in the ‘Mymensingh Train Community’ group, writing: “Honourable Rail Minister, even ticket holders cannot board the train. The condition of your rail administration is poor. Forget getting a seat—there isn’t even space to stand inside the train.”
In the popular ‘Bangladesh Railway Helpline’ group, Tanvir Ahmed Rawnak shared a photo of an overcrowded coach, commenting: “The situation has become such that people cannot even reach their seats.”
In the same group, RS Sagar Ahmed posted from Joydebpur Junction, stating: “The Khulna-bound Chitra Express left Joydebpur Junction with partial crowding.” The accompanying image showed passengers even sitting on the roof of the coach.
Earlier, Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam had said that around 124 meter-gauge coaches and an additional 14 broad-gauge coaches had been added to train services. “With our current capacity, we can serve 36,000 to 42,000 passengers. There is always some last-minute pressure, as many people try to board trains at any cost—we are trying to prevent that and are restricting all such boarding attempts,” he added.
DBTech/SIS/EK/OR
