People are facing immense suffering in traveling long distances as the roads and waterways connectivity have almost been paralyzed by the BNP-led 20 party alliance enforced blockade in the country.
All trains leaving and reaching Dhaka are packed like sardines as passengers are opting for trains with a view to enjoy risk-free travel.
During a visit to the Komalapur Railway Station around 3:30pm yesterday, it was found that many people were trying to get on an already-overcrowded train, even on its rooftop risking their lives.
Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, many commuters alleged that they could not buy ticket from the ticket counters.
“Most of the trains reaching and leaving the station are overcrowded. The demand for tickets is much higher than any other normal days,” said Nripen Chandra Saha, station master at the railway station.
Jakir Hossain, an official at the ticket counter of the railway station, said the demand of tickets for Chittagong, Rajshahi and Khulna bound trains have been increased in the last few days.
Taniya Sultana, a university student, said: “I went to my home in Dinajpur to enjoy the winter vacation. I did not get any ticket in the last three days for coming back to Dhaka.”
“I, however, got a ticket by paying some extra money, and the journey was horrible one due to over crowing in the train,” he said.
However, the government has decided to deploy some 4,000 additional personnel to ensure security of the passengers of the trains, according to an official directive issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Members of Ansar and Village Defense Party (VDP) will be deployed at the most vulnerable spots of the railway in 40 districts as the government wants to ensure safe plying of trains, it said.
Md Shahidullah, chief inspector of the Railway Nirapotta Bahini (RNB) [Railway Security Force], said they
have also taken some other steps to ensure secured journey of the passengers.
“We have deployed additional personnel at risky points like as overpasses and bridges to ensure security of the passengers and the trains,” he said.
“We have formed three vigilance teams which are patrolling in different places in Dhaka city to ensure that pickets cannot cause any harm to railways,” Shahidullah said.
“The vigilance teams are working in three shifts a day,” the RNB chief inspector said.
Amzad Hossain, director general of Bangladesh Railway, said additional security personnel have been deployed in each three kilometers of the railways outside Dhaka city.
In normal situation, the vigilance remain alert in each six kilometer of the railway, he added.
