Trains delayed on the third day of Eid journeys at Kamalapur Station

The train service at Kamalapur Railway Station has suffered heavy delays on the third day of Eid journeys.

Most trains set out behind schedule on Sunday, following similar delays in the past last two days. Many passengers were seen travelling on the roofs of the trains.

The Dhumketu Express, the first inter-city train on Sunday, started for Rajshahi at 7am, almost an hour behind schedule.

The Nilsagar Express for Chilahati arrived at the station at 10:05am instead of 8am and did not leave until 11am, three hours behind schedule. The Rangpur Express, which was to leave the station at 9am had not arrived at Kamalapur as of 11am.

The Dinajpur Express, which arrived at the station around 10:45am, left at 11am, an hour behind schedule. 

The Lalmonirhat Express, scheduled to leave the station at 9:15am, had not arrived at the station as of 11am. The rail authorities said the approximate departure time would be around 11:40am.

The Rangpur Express has been delayed for over two hours.

Farid Ahmed, a private school teacher in Dhaka, said the crowds had made it difficult to board the trains. He said he fought hard to get on board and his wife had to climb through the window.

He told bdnews24.com that this hassle would not have happened if the trains arrived on time.

Kamalapur Railway Station Manager Shitangshu Chakraborty said the trains were late due to a train that was stuck in the Tejgoan area for almost an hour.

The delays were also due to the damage to a train engine of the Jamuna Express on Saturday, he said.

There were also some additional delays due to excess passengers, but such things are normal during the Eid rush, he added.

The official national holiday for Eid-ul-Azha will begin on Aug 21 and continue until Aug 25. The festival will be celebrated on 22 Aug across Bangladesh.