Rajshahi: The Western Zone of Bangladesh Railway has announced the operation of two special trains to provide smooth travel for passengers during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, a major religious festival for Muslims. A proposal for this initiative has been submitted by the General Manager of Western Zone Railway to the headquarters at Rail Bhaban in Dhaka.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, special arrangements will commence on March 21 to accommodate Eid travelers. Additional coaches will be attached to various intercity trains from March 17 to March 30 to handle the expected passenger surge. Besides the regular services, two special trains – Parbatipur Special and Joydebpur Special – will run from March 17 to 19 before Eid and from March 23 to 26 after Eid.
The Parbatipur Special will leave Parbatipur at 11:00 am, reaching Joydebpur by 3:20 pm, and then return from Joydebpur at 5:10 pm to arrive back in Parbatipur by 9:40 pm. Conversely, the Joydebpur Special will depart Joydebpur at 8:30 am, arriving in Parbatipur at 12:50 pm, and will leave Parbatipur at 2:50 pm to reach Joydebpur by 7:10 pm. The trains will make stops at major northern stations, including Chatmohar, Ishwardi Bypass, Natore, and Ahsanganj, with each train accommodating approximately 786 passengers. The number of coaches may be adjusted based on demand, and additional coaches could be added as needed.
Railway officials have also planned special train services on critical routes such as Dhaka-Rajshahi, Dhaka-Khulna, Dhaka-Chilahati, and Dhaka-Panchagarh to manage passenger pressure. Refurbished old coaches will be used to ensure their suitability for operation. Extra chair and sleeper coaches will be added to high-demand intercity trains in the Western Zone from March 17 to 30 to manage the Eid rush. Maintenance activities have been intensified, and adequate coaches and locomotives are being prepared to ensure uninterrupted services.
Ticket sales for journeys from March 13 to 19 began on March 3, with sales for March 20, 21, and 22 dependent on moon sighting. Tickets for Western Zone intercity trains are available from 8:00 am, while tickets for Eastern Zone trains are sold from 2:00 pm, both online and at station counters.
To ensure passenger safety and order, additional manpower will be deployed at stations, and security measures will be enhanced. An adequate number of Ansar members will manage security, while traffic personnel will ease congestion at Rajshahi Railway Station. Zonal and divisional control offices have been instructed to remain active, and officials will perform duties at key stations. Special onboard checking drives will be conducted to maintain discipline, and track repair and maintenance will receive special attention.
Farid Ahmed, General Manager of Western Zone Railway, stated that comprehensive preparations have been made to ensure a safe and comfortable Eid journey. “We hope passengers will enjoy a smooth and pleasant journey this Eid. We also expect their cooperation in maintaining discipline and following railway rules,” he added.