Bangladesh Railway has arranged eight special trains as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to visit Rangpur on Wednesday and address a mass gathering as part of her party's divisional rallies in the lead-up to the upcoming general election.
Preparations are underway across the 58 upazilas of the eight districts in Rangpur division, with thousands set to attend the event at the Rangpur Zilla School ground.
Confirming the arrangements, Bangladesh Railway (West) General Manager Asim Kumar Talukder said the special trains include the Panchagarh Special, Thakurgaon Special, Dinajpur Special, Burimari Special, Lalmonirhat Special, Ulipur Special, Kurigram Special and Bonarpara Special.
These special trains were organized in response to requests from residents in the remote areas of the eight districts of Rangpur division, eager to attend the mega rally, he said.
Presidents and general secretaries of the concerned district Awami League will use the trains subject to payment of rent, and the trains will reach Rangpur between 9:30am and 12pm.
Rangpur Railway Station Superintendent Shankar Ganguly said that the additional trains will be kept at Mirbagh and Shyampur stations outside of the four regular railway lines, with the timetable set and operational.
Except for the Kurigram Express, which has a weekly day off, other intercity trains will run on time, he added.
Dinajpur Railway Station Superintendent ABM Ziaur Rahman said Dinajpur would be sending one special train, while Thakurgaon and Panchagarh would be sending one each, all heading to Rangpur.
“We have made all necessary arrangements to ensure safe and hassle-free travel for rally participants,” he added.
Rangpur Metropolitan Awami League Joint Convener Abul Kashem expressed that Rangpur will transform into a sea of people to welcome Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"We expect more than a million people to attend the rally,” he added.