This year’s official Eid travel by train began on March 24. There have been no schedule disruptions so far. Most trains have been departing from Kamalapur on time. Railway officials say the main reason for this smooth operation is the newly opened railway bridge over the Jamuna River, which has eliminated previous scheduling issues.
According to railway officials, one of the biggest challenges for trains traveling from Dhaka to the western regions was crossing the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge. The bridge could accommodate 38 trains per day, but more than that number would often use the route daily, causing long waits—sometimes up to an hour and a half. On top of that, speed restrictions meant each train took at least 20 minutes to cross. As a result, train delays were most common on western routes, especially during Eid. However, with the new railway bridge now operational, trains no longer have to wait and can cross in just three to four minutes, saving nearly an hour per trip.
Railway Director General Afzal Hossain called this a major breakthrough for rail connectivity. Speaking to Bonik Barta, he said, “The benefits of this bridge are not just for Eid; we will experience them throughout the year.”
Train delays also used to be common on eastern routes during Eid, but officials report that proper management has prevented any schedule disruptions this time. Passengers have also expressed relief that trains are running on time.
Kamalapur Station Manager Shahadat Hossain said, “There have been no train delays. Proper locomotive usage and better station management have helped us bring schedule disruptions down to almost zero. The new Jamuna railway bridge has also played a key role in maintaining punctuality.”
Similar to train travel, road travel has also been smooth for homebound Eid travelers this year. While highways saw increased passenger and vehicle pressure yesterday (March 29), there were no reports of severe traffic congestion. However, on Friday night, a 10- to 12-kilometer traffic jam formed in the Chandra area of the Dhaka-Tangail highway, lasting through the night and causing trouble for hundreds of passengers heading toward northern districts. Meanwhile, some parts of the Gazipur section on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway experienced stop-and-go traffic, but things returned to normal in the morning. The Dhaka-Chattogram highway saw traffic jams on Friday due to an accident, but yesterday, it remained largely clear.
Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that people are traveling for Eid comfortably and without trouble this year. After inspecting the Gabtoli bus terminal yesterday, he told the media, “Thanks to the government’s various public-friendly initiatives and proper management, people are traveling for Eid with ease. We are making every effort to ensure smooth and hassle-free travel, as well as a safe return to Dhaka after Eid.”
Meanwhile, Ehsanul Haque, Senior Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring a safe and comfortable Eid journey. During his visit to the Sayedabad and Gabtoli bus terminals yesterday, he said, “We have taken on this challenge together with the Road Transport and Highways Division, BRTA, police, and transport owners and workers. There will be no extortion, no overcharging of fares, no snatching, theft, or robbery, and no activity by criminal gangs. Our top priority is ensuring that people can travel home in peace and return safely.”