Dhaka, Tuesday (March 25): Dhaka Railway Station, the country’s main rail hub, saw an unusually low number of passengers on Tuesday morning. Only a handful of travelers were seen seated on the platform’s waiting areas, their trains yet to depart. Interestingly, no passengers were waiting due to train delays, as all scheduled trains had departed on time.
During a visit to the station, it was observed that passengers arriving by road were walking towards the platform area from the parking zone. Before entering the platform, they had to pass through a three-tier security check. Ticket examiners (TTEs), assisted by scout volunteers, were conducting the checks at the entry gates.
Inside the platform, the absence of delayed trains meant no stranded passengers. All trains had left Dhaka as per schedule. The few passengers present were simply waiting for their trains' departure time. Consequently, the platform area was relatively empty.
On-the-spot observations confirmed that the Jamalpur Express (799) departed exactly at 10:00 AM, while the Ekata Express (705) left for Panchagarh at 10:15 AM, both maintaining their scheduled departure times.
The most surprising aspect was the complete absence of train delays—an uncommon scenario compared to previous years. Just two or three years ago, passengers would often wait for hours at Kamalapur Station due to delayed train services. However, this time, the platforms were nearly deserted, with trains neatly stationed on their tracks. There were no hawkers in sight, adding to the station’s well-organized atmosphere.
For those familiar with the chaotic past of Dhaka Railway Station, the current scene felt refreshingly orderly, marking a significant improvement in railway operations.