Kamalapur: The first cattle train is set to arrive at Kamalapur station tonight, carrying 400 sacrificial animals. This initiative is part of Bangladesh Railway’s special arrangement to facilitate the transportation of livestock ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, according to officials.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Engineer A B M Kamruzzaman, Divisional Railway Manager of Bangladesh Railway, mentioned that the cattle train would make a stop at Tejgaon station before midnight. The train will then proceed to Kamalapur station once passenger frequency decreases. The arrangement includes operating three special trains on the Dewanganj-Dhaka and Islampur-Dhaka routes, with all operations concluding by May 24.
Kamruzzaman highlighted that cattle traders requested the unloading of animals at Kamalapur station. The first cattle train departed from Islampur Bazar Railway Station in Jamalpur at approximately 4:40 pm, carrying about 400 animals, in preparation for Eid-ul-Azha celebrations.
Earlier today, the train, comprising 25 wagons, left Dewanganj Bazar at 10:30 am and reached Islampur Bazar Railway Station by 11:00 am. Animals were loaded onto the train around 4 pm, initiating its journey to Dhaka at 4:42 pm.
According to railway sources, the government introduced cattle trains for the first time in 2020, considering the needs of farmers and wholesalers during Eid-ul-Adha. The second cattle train, carrying around 400 sacrificial animals in 25 wagons, is scheduled to depart for Dhaka at approximately 6 pm today. Similarly, the third cattle train, also with 400 animals in 25 wagons, will leave for Dhaka around 6 pm tomorrow.
Bangladesh Railway authorities have set the fare for each wagon at Tk. 8,000, with the capacity to transport approximately 16 animals per wagon.