Foolproof security for advance rail tickets sale starting tomorrow

By AKM Moinuddin

Dhaka, Aug 30 (UNB) - Bangladesh Railways (BR), the country’s principal transportation agency, begins its advance tickets sale for homebound passengers during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays tomorrow (Tuesday).
Foolproof security measures have been taken comprising the RAB (Rapid Action Battalion), the police, Armed Police Battalion (APBn) and the railway authority’s own force to ensure a smooth selling period, which will continue till September 4.
“We’re fully prepared…we’ve sufficient security personnel and I hope homebound passengers won’t face any difficulty in collecting their advance tickets,” said Divisional Railway Manager M Habibur Rahman to UNB Correspondent AKM Moinuddin over the phone today.
He said they have a target of selling 10-15 thousand tickets for inter-city trains per day from Kamalapur railway station. “We have finalized everything in the coordination meeting yesterday (Sunday).”
Asked about alleged manipulation by ticket sellers in the ticketing booths, Habibur Rahman noted the entire nation has given them the responsibility to ensure train tickets for homebound passengers transparently.
“The allegation isn’t true…it won’t happen, everyone will be under strict surveillance and detectives will be there to prevent any misconduct in selling of advance tickets and to ensure a smooth and peaceful environment at all ticketing booths,” said the railway top official, adding that 10 percent tickets will be sold under cell-phone operators.
The advanced tickets for all inter-city trains will be available at major railway stations in Dhaka and the divisional headquarters of Chittagong, Sylhet, Khulna and Rajshahi everyday from 9am to 5pm. Apart from Kamalapur in the capital city, passengers can buy advance tickets from Airport station. The advanced tickets will be also available at Joydevpur railway station.
According to railway officials, passengers can buy tickets for their chosen date of travel five days prior to the date. So in order to travel on September 5, they can buy the ticket on August 31, for September 6 travel on September 1, for September 7 on September 2, and so on till September 9.
Each passenger will have the liberty to buy a maximum of four tickets at a time. Everyday about 44 passenger trains depart Kamalapur Railway Station. The railway authority might add additional coaches, if necessary, to ensure smoother journeys for the holidaymakers.
Chittagong Railway Station Manager Shamshul Alam told this correspondent they expect to sell nearly 9-10 thousands advance tickets per day with some standing tickets.
“All preparations have been taken to ensure a smooth sale. Security personnel comprising RAB, APBn and railway police have already been deployed to avert any untoward incidents,” he said.
Divisional Secretary of Roads and Railway Mohammad Mozammel Hauqe Khan, Director General of Bangladesh Railway Mohammad Belayet Hossain and other senior railways officials are expected to attend the sales.
END/UNB/AKM/