Bangladesh Railway has taken various initiatives to ensure smooth journeys for the Eid-ul-Fitr holidaymakers.

Railway authorities hope that this year’s Eid journey will be convenient as a new train has already been added to the fleet while another one is scheduled to be added before the Eid rush. A total of 49, including 16 special trains with 30,000 seats will be operated during the Eid holidays.

Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan said it is not possible to provide train tickets to all due to the limitation of resources but steps have been taken so that people can go home without any hassles.

“Eight pairs of special trains will be operated and steps have been taken to prevent ticket blacking and sabotage,” Sujan said.

As a large number of people of northern parts of the country had been facing difficulties during Eid journey, the Railway authority started operating non-stop intercity train Bonolota Express from Dhaka to Rajshahi last month and another intercity train ‘Panchagarh Express’ will start operating from Dhaka to Panchagarh on May 29, sources said.

Meanwhile, the ministry directed authority concerned to maintain schedules of trains strictly and cancel the holidays of all officials.

To reduce hassle for holidaymakers, advance train tickets for the Eid will be sold from five different counters and stations for the first time this year from May 22 which will continue until May 26. Tickets for May 31, June 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be available on May 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 respectively and the return tickets will be available from May 29.

Tickets of all trains bound for different destinations of the country’s western region will be sold from Kamalapur Railway Station while tickets to Chattogram and Noakhali will be sold from Airport Railway Station, tickets to Mymensingh and Jamalpur from Tejgaon Station, tickets to Netrokona from Banani Station and tickets to Sylhet and Kishoreganj will be sold from Old Rail Bhaban in Fulbaria area. Some 50 per cent tickets will be sold through mobile apps, no ticket will be kept reserved for VIPs and a person will be able to buy at best four tickets using a NID. Some 23 ticket counters will provide tickets to the passengers including ticket booths for women and disable persons.

The railway authorities will deploy Government Railway Police (GRP), Railway Nirapatta Bahini (RNB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in all stations, especially the railway junctions to prevent black market sale of train tickets and ensure safety and security of the passengers. Mobile courts will continue its operation with help of local administration.

Railway Secretary Md Mofazzel Hossain said all measures have been taken to ensure safe journeys for the home goers during the Eid.

“People will not face any difficulty in getting tickets as tickets will be sold at five places in the capital for the first time,” Mofazzel said.