Train delays at Joydebpur worsen northern-bound passengers’ Eid rush woes

Thousands of Eid holidaymakers crowded Gazipur’s Joydebpur Railway Junction this morning as widespread train delays caused major suffering for passengers travelling to northern districts ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.”

During a visit to the junction around 11:00am, large numbers of passengers were seen waiting on platforms, beside railway tracks and around the station premises, many carrying heavy luggage and travelling with small children.

Mahmudul Hasan, in-charge of Joydebpur Railway Junction, said special services had been introduced to manage Eid travel pressure, including the Parbatipur Special and Teesta Special trains.

“The Parbatipur Special operates from Joydebpur, while the Teesta Special runs from Dhaka to Dewanganj via Joydebpur,” he said.

He added that Bonolota Express, Dewanganj Express, Dhumketu Express, Nilsagar Express, Teesta Express and Mohua Express had departed the junction since morning, although almost all services were running 30 minutes to one hour behind schedule.

“The Nilsagar Express was scheduled to arrive at 7:00am but reached the station at 9:00am,” he said.

Passengers complained that they were unable to obtain accurate information about train schedules even after scheduled departure times had passed.

The Teesta Eid Special train, scheduled to arrive at 10:00am on its way from Dhaka to Dewanganj, had still not reached the station by 11:00am.

Biplob, 30, who was supposed to travelto Dinajpur by Ekota Express, said he had been waiting at the junction since 8:00am. “I do not know when the train will arrive,” he said.

Rafiqul Islam, 50, a worker at Toshuka Garment Factory, said he was travelling to Netrakona by Mohua Express.

“The train was supposed to arrive at 9:30am, but it still has not arrived,” he said.

Abu Sayeed, 45, who was travelling to Syedpur by Ekota Express, said passengers were frustrated by the uncertainty surrounding train schedules.

“The train was scheduled to arrive at 11:00am, but nobody can tell us when it will actually come,” he said. “Every Eid there are problems, but this time the delays seem worse.”

Another passenger, Shanto Hossain, 30, said he had chosen train travel this year expecting a more comfortable journey than buses.

“After arriving here, I saw overwhelming crowds,” he said.

Some passengers leaned against railings on the foot overbridge, while others sat exhausted on platforms after waiting for hours for delayed trains.

Railway officials said excessive passenger pressure and technical issues were disrupting train operations during the Eid rush.