Special train, launch services planned to ease Eid travel rush
Passenger pressure on trains is expected to increase from today as Eid holidays begin for government and private offices.
Bangladesh Railway and the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) have taken special measures, including additional train coaches and special launch services, to ease the rush of homebound passengers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Passenger pressure on trains is expected to increase from today as Eid holidays begin for government and private offices. Railway authorities say preparations have been completed to handle the surge.
According to officials, 46 additional coaches will be attached to trains on busy routes based on passenger demand. In addition, five pairs of special trains will operate on selected routes across the country from today until 28 March.
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Abu Bakar Siddique, manager of Chattogram Railway Station, told The Business Standard that tickets for various routes have been on sale since 3 March.
"All tickets are now sold online, while standing tickets are issued two hours before departure," he said, adding that the main Eid travel rush will begin from today and passengers will not be allowed to travel on train roofs.
Officials expect a rise in rail passengers this year as higher road transport costs – linked to fuel market volatility amid the Middle East conflict – may push more travellers towards trains.
The Dhaka-Chattogram route will receive the highest number of additional coaches, including on Subarna Express, Sonar Bangla Express, Turna Express, Mahanagar Godhuli Express and Mahanagar Express.
Extra coaches will also be added to Paharika Express, Udayan Express, Bijoy Express, Meghna Express, Parjotak Express and Cox's Bazar Express.
Md Shahidul Islam, joint director (operations) of Bangladesh Railway, said passenger pressure is expected to build from this afternoon, the last working day before Eid holidays, adding that security measures have been taken to ensure smooth travel.
However, the shortage of locomotives remains a challenge. While around 300 engines are required to keep all trains running, only about 200 are currently operational. Several locomotives are undergoing repair and refurbishment, and operations are expected to remain smooth if they return to service on time.
Meanwhile, BIWTA has arranged special launch services to facilitate Eid travel on waterways.
From tomorrow until the day before Eid, six launches will operate from Basila Launch Ghat and three from Shimulia Tourist Ghat, aiming to reduce congestion at Sadarghat and provide alternative river routes for passengers, said a press release issued by the shipping ministry yesterday.
The press statement detailed the schedule of several launch services from Basila Launch Ghat.
MV Tipu will operate on the Basila-Sadarghat-Hakimuddin route at 7am, while MV Imam Hasan-5 will depart for the Basila-Sadarghat-Shariatpur route at 8:30am.
MV Eagle-4 will leave for the Basila-Sadarghat-Chandpur route at 11am, followed by MV Tipu-6 on the Basila–Sadarghat–Ilisha route at 12:00pm.
Again, MV Bogdadiya-12 and MV Shariatpur-3 will operate on the Basila-Sadarghat-Golachipa route at 1:30pm, while MV Yad-1 will depart for the Basila-Sadarghat-Ilisha route at 5:30pm.
To improve passenger services, free porter services for elderly and female passengers will be provided at Sadarghat from 17 to 28 March, while wheelchair facilities will be available for sick and physically challenged passengers at Sadarghat and Barishal river ports.
Authorities say the measures are intended to ensure a safer, smoother and more comfortable journey for Eid travellers.
