Staff Reporter:
Ahead of the upcoming Eid al-Adha, railway authorities have decided to operate five pairs of special trains and three cattle special trains to facilitate smooth travel for holidaymakers.
Advance train tickets for Eid journeys will go on sale online from 13 May, while return tickets will be available from 21 May.
Tickets sold on 13 May will be valid for travel on 23 May. Similarly, tickets for 24, 25, 26 and 27 May journeys will be sold on 14, 15, 16 and 17 May, respectively.
For return journeys, tickets for 31 May and 1, 2, 3 and 4 June travel dates will be sold on 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 May respectively. Tickets for 28, 29 and 30 May will be sold depending on the sighting of the Eid moon.
The decisions were taken at a preparatory meeting held at Rail Bhaban on Tuesday with Railways Ministry Secretary Md Fahimul Islam in the chair. State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid, DMP Commissioner Md Sarwar, Bangladesh Railway Director General Md Afzal Hossain and senior officials attended the meeting.
Railway authorities said all Eid tickets will be sold online. A passenger can purchase tickets only once for advance and return journeys, with a maximum of four tickets per transaction. Advance and return tickets will not be refundable.
The authorities also announced suspension of weekly off-days for all (intercity) trains from 23 May until the day before Eid.
To ensure safe and smooth Eid travel, authorities will strengthen security at major railway stations, prevent ticket black marketing, stop roof-top travel and operate mobile courts during the holiday period.
