As morning unfolds, metallic echoes fill the Saidpur Railway Workshop. Hammers strike in one corner, wheels spin on lathes in another, while elsewhere old coaches receive fresh coats of paint. From the outside, it is difficult to imagine that a race against time is underway inside to ensure smoother journeys during Eid.
Ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, the country’s oldest railway workshop has set a target of repairing 100 coaches within 39 working days. So far, 60 coaches have already been repaired and handed over to the traffic division, while work on the remaining ones is nearing completion.
Established in 1870, the workshop remains one of the foundations of the country’s railway system. Nearly a century and a half later, work is now being carried out simultaneously across 29 sub-shops, covering carriages, bogies and wagons.
Rusty bodies are being cut open and fitted with new plates. Long-idle wheels are being polished on lathes. Brake systems are dismantled and every component is inspected. Old seats are replaced with new ones, while faulty electrical lines are repaired and reconnected.
Inside the paint shop, the transformation becomes even more visible. Worn-out coaches appear to regain new life. Rows of blue and green coaches stand gleaming, seemingly waiting for the Eid journeys ahead.
All of this work is being carried out with only about 20 per cent of the required workforce. Against an approved strength of 2,859 positions, only 664 workers and staff members are currently employed. There is a shortage of experienced technicians, and raw material constraints persist.
Despite these challenges, the workers have not stepped back from their target. In normal times, only 10 to 12 coaches are repaired each month. However, considering the surge in passenger demand during Eid, the workshop has taken on the challenge of preparing 100 coaches within 39 working days.
Senior Sub-Assistant Engineer Md Mominul Islam said the pressure of time and manpower shortage remain major challenges.
“Our main goal is to ensure people can return home safely during Eid. We are making our best efforts to complete the work within the stipulated time,” he said.
Paint shop in-charge Shahinur Islam said the coaches are being handed over only after ensuring safety standards, not just visual improvement.
“Every stage undergoes proper inspection and testing,” he added.
Workshop sources said all types of leave for workers have been temporarily cancelled ahead of Eid, while many employees are working extra hours.
Divisional Supervisor Shah Sufi Nur Mohammad said additional coaches are being attached to trains to manage the rush of homebound travellers during Eid.
“This is only possible because of the tireless efforts of the workers. We are not compromising on safety,” he said, expressing hope that the remaining coaches will be added to the railway fleet within the next 10 working days.
While Eid is a time of joy and holiday for most people, for the workers of this workshop it is a time of responsibility. Though their time with families during Eid may be limited, their sense of satisfaction outweighs the fatigue — the satisfaction of ensuring that thousands of people can safely return home.
Within a few days, the blue and green coaches will begin running on different routes across the country. Passengers may never know that behind each carriage lies the sleepless nights, sweat and dedication of silent craftsmen.
As trains race along the railway lines carrying the joy of Eid, another group of people inside the Saidpur workshop will quietly smile — their Eid hidden in the comfort of others returning home.
