Bangladesh Railway has taken several steps ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr to reduce sufferings of the home bound passengers that they face during every eid season due to huge traffic congestion on the roads.
Railway officials said seven pairs of special trains had been made ready for peoples’ service, while 12 new engines had been added to accelerate the utility of the railway. Special steps had been taken to stop black marketing of tickets with police and Rab members had been added to the railway law enforcement agency as special security measures.
Besides, holidays of the railway officials had been cancelled ahead of the eid with orders already been given to all officials to be present at their respective work places on holidays.
According to banglanews, Railway Minister Mujibul Haque said: “Railway will try to serve the passengers with its limited wealth.”
Meanwhile, officials said the repair of compartments in the eastern and the western areas are going to be finished soon. Bangladesh Railway Director General Md Abu Taher said: “A total of 135 compartments are going to be added in the current locomotives on the occasion of Eid. Among them, 80 in Pahartoli factory of Chittagong and 55 in Syedpur factory are already ready for service.”
Railway source said supply of 107 engines in the eastern area, 55 engines in Pakshi of the western area and 25 engines in Lalmonirhat have been ensured for special trains.
A special pair of train will start its service on Dhaka-Dewanganj-Dhaka and Chittagong-Chandpur-Chittagong routes before three days of Eid and will continue till seven days after the Eid. Another pair of train will be on service from three days before Eid to five days after on the Parbatipur-Dhaka-Parbatipur route, while a special train will also be available on the Dhaka-Khulna-Dhaka route before three days to two days after the Eid.
Apart from this, all types of cargo trains will be stopped before three days of Eid to ensure hassle free journey of the home bound passengers.
Regarding the selling of tickets, Dhaka Divisional Railway Official Sardar Sahadat Ali said: “Around 25,000 tickets will be sold on the occasion of Eid daily.”
On the other hand, passengers can also purchase tickets by e-ticketing. Website of Bangladesh Railway (www.railway.gov.bd) has the option to purchase tickets. 25% of the total tickets will be sold online, with one passenger having the limit of buying four tickets. From the next Eid passengers would be able to buy more tickets online, railway authorities said.
Besides, arrangements of separate ticket counters for women and physically challenged will be made, while law enforcement teams will be guarding the counter so that others cannot enter into those counters.
Bangladesh Railway is going to start selling advance tickets from July 26 for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, while return tickets will be available from August 2. Advance tickets will be sold at the counters of Dhaka and Chittagong rail stations from 9am-5pm, with provisions of selling maximum four tickets to one passenger.
Passengers will get advanced tickets, starting from August 4 to August 8, from July 26 to July 30.
Besides, passengers can also buy return tickets from Rajshahi, Khulna, Rangpur, Dinajpur and Lalmonirhat railway stations from August 2 to August 6.
