Dhaka: Bangladesh Railway (BR) has arranged seven pairs of special trains to ensure smooth travel for the devotees participating in the 58th Biswa Ijtema that starts from tomorrow at Tongi, on the outskirts of the city. All inter-city, mail express, and commuter trains, except Subarna Express, Sonar Bangla Express, Cox’s Bazar Express, Tourist Express, and Banalata Express, will make two-minute stopovers at Tongi Station from 12:01 am on Friday until the Akheri Munajat (final prayers) on Sunday, a BR press release said here today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, along with special train operations, additional coaches will be added to express, commuter, and local trains as much as possible. Additional booking counters will be opened at Tongi station, alongside deploying a sufficient number of ticket checkers.
The special trains will be operated on Dhaka-Tongi and Tongi-Dhaka routes on the occasion of the Jummah prayers on Friday. On the day, the trains will leave Dhaka at 9:30 am and will reach Tongi at 10:15 am, while the trains will leave Tongi at 3 pm and will reach Dhaka at 3:45 pm. On Saturday, special trains will depart from Jamalpur at 9:15 am and will reach Tongi at 2:15 pm, while the trains will leave Tangail at 12 pm and will reach Tongi at 1:20 pm.
This year, the Ijtema will be held in three phases. Starting on the bank of Turag River at Tongi from tomorrow, the first phase will continue till February 2, while the second phase will be held from February 3 to 5 and the third phase from February 14 to 16.