Bangladesh Railway has decided to operate three pairs of special trains and withdraw the off-days of five trains to ensure convenient and safe travel for homebound passengers on the upcoming Durga Puja.
The decisions were taken on Sunday at a preparatory meeting held in the conference room of Road Transport and Bridges Ministry. The meeting was presided over by Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam.
According to Bangladesh Railway, Dhaka Special-3 will operate on Chattogram-Dhaka route on 20 October. Tourist Special-1 and 2 will run on Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar-Dhaka route on 20, 23, and 24 October.
Additionally, Chattogram Special-4 will run on the Dhaka-Chattogram route on 24 October.
To handle passenger pressure during the festival, the off-days of Cox’s Bazar Express in Eastern zone on 19 and 20 October have been withdrawn.
In the Western zone, the off-days of Jahanabad Express and Ruposhi Bangla Express on 19 October, Padma Express on 20 October, and Madhumati Express on 24 October have been withdrawn.
To meet additional passenger demand, plans have been made to include 23 metre-gauge coaches in Eastern zone and 06 broad-gauge coaches in Western zone into passenger services, alongside ensuring the supply of necessary engines based on train demand.
To prevent schedule collapse and maintain punctuality, trains will be operated under the close supervision of officers and inspectors at important junction stations and signal cabins.
Railway track patrolling has been arranged to ensure the security of tracks and bridges, alongside intensive maintenance of signaling systems, coaches, and engines. Relief trains will always remain ready for quick dispatch to accident sites in any emergency.
Round-the-clock guarding has been strengthened with the cooperation of Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Nirapatta Bahini (RNB) at all major stations, including Dhaka, Dhaka Airport, Joydebpur, Chattogram, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Rajshahi, and Khulna.
Magisterial duty will be ensured at Dhaka Railway Station (Kamalapur) and Airport Railway Station on 19 and 20 October.
Surveillance and activities of RNB, GRP, and railway employees have also been intensified to prevent any subversive activities on running trains, at stations, or on railway tracks.
The meeting was attended by, State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid; State Minister for Bridges Division Rajib Ahsan; concerned secretaries and heads of departments; the Dhaka and Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioners; and leaders of transport owners and workers’ organisations.
