LAHORE, Oct 23: There was a big rush at the Lahore railway station on Monday and the special trains seemed insufficient keeping in view the number of passengers. Railway officials said in addition to the routine 100 or so trains for different destinations, three special trains left Lahore for Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Narowal and one or two extra bogies had to be attached with every train to cater to the Eid rush. But a number of people could not find space even for standing in trains and had to go back and opt for road transport.

Some 100,000 or so people visit the Lahore railway station, the busiest in the country, daily on an average and the number considerably increases on weekends and before and after such holidays.

Most residents of other cities, especially government employees, had started leaving the city from Saturday noon though the official holidays started on Monday.

A number of commuters told this reporter that they preferred going to their hometowns in trains because road transporters always overcharged and misbehaved on occasions like Eid.

Sanitary conditions on all platforms were far from satisfactory.

The railways police had intensified security arrangements on all entry points to the station.

Railway police officers said a master plan had been prepared to ensure security of passengers. Lady commandos would also travel in all trains. The number of men in plainclothes has also been increased manifold at platforms.