Eid holidaymakers have started leaving the capital for their village homes to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival of Muslims, with their near and dear ones. As always, a large section of home-bound people choose the railways considering various advantages including passenger service, online tickets, security and saving of time. To make the Eid journey safe and comfortable, Bangladesh Railway (BR) has taken special security measures at the two main railway stations in Dhaka and Joydevpur station in Gazipur. Bangladesh Railway Police and Railway Security Force have increased security at all intercity stations in the country.
Talking to National News Agency of Bangladesh – BSS, Director General of Bangladesh Railway Md Afzal Hossain said on the occasion of the Eid, BR is committed to ensuring smooth and comfortable Eid journey.
“BR authorities have prepared intercity and special trains with additional coaches aimed at providing better service to passengers,” he said.
He said the passengers’ pressure on trains schedule will increase from Mar 26, but BR is ready to transport additional passengers with its special and regular train services.
According to BR schedule, additional five pairs of special trains; Chandpur Eid Special-1 and Chandpur Eid Special-2 will run on Chattogram-Chandpur-Chattogram section. Dewanganj Eid Special-3 and Dewanganj Eid Special-4 will be run on Dhaka- Dewanganj-Dhaka section.
Solakia Eid Special-5 and Solakia Eid Special-6 will ply on Bhairab Bazar-Kishorganj-Bhairab Bazar section, while Solakia Eid Special-7 and Solakia Eid Special-8 will ply on Mymensingh-Kishorganj-Mymensingh section.
Parbatipur Eid Special-9 and Parbatipur Eid Special-10 will run on Joydebpur-Parbatipur-Joydebpur section.
As per the schedule of return journey, Parbatipur Eid Special trains and Parbatipur Eid Special-9 will leave Joydebpur station from 8:15 a.m. and reach Parbatipur 2:50 p.m. and Parbatipur Eid Special-10 will depart Parbatipur station from 10:20 a.m. and reach Joydebpur 5:45 p.m.
Additional security forces, police, RAB, APBn, Ansar and fire service members are on duty at the Kamlapur railway station to ensure safe movement of passengers.
In addition, monitoring through CCTV cameras will continue around the clock. Medical teams will be available at Kamalapur and Dhaka Airport railway stations to provide any emergency medical service to passengers.
Dhaka Divisional Commandant of the Railway Security Force Mohammad Shafiqul Islam recently told BSS that additional 200 Ansar members will join the existing 490 Railway Security Force to ensure safety of passengers.
He said round-the-clock security has been arranged at all major stations including Dhaka, Airport, Joydevpur, Chittagong, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna, and other busy stations with the cooperation of GRP, RNB, BGB, local police and RAB.
Islam said railway police have been providing three-tier security at Kamalapur station to prevent any untoward situation.
The railway authorities have already introduced separate gates for entry and exit. Directives were made to stop excess passengers in the coaches and travel on the roof, according to railway an officer.
