Eid-ul-Adha advance online train ticket sales to start on 2 June

The advance train ticket sales for Eid-ul-Adha holiday makers will start online from 2 June, taking into account the possibility of Eid falling on 17 June, according to the Bangladesh Railway Authority.

For passenger convenience, 100% of the tickets will be available for purchase online through mobile apps, said Sardar Shahadat Ali, director general of the Bangladesh Railway, in a press briefing held at the Railway Bhaban yesterday.

He said 33,500 seats will be available on trains departing from Dhaka. Beginning 2 June, inter-city train tickets will be available for advance purchase up to 10 days before the journey starts.

The tickets for 12 June will be available on 2 June, for 13 June on 3 June, for 14 June on 4 June, for 15 June on 5 June and for 16 June on 6 June. On the other hand, the return ticket will be sold from 10-14 June for 20-24 June, respectively, said the director general.

The tickets for the country's western region will start at 8am and those for the eastern region at 2pm, he added.

Arrangements for special trains  

The Bangladesh Railway will operate 20 special trains to facilitate holidaymakers' travel during Eid-ul-Adha.

Four of these special trains will operate on the Chattogram-Chandpur route from June 12 to seven days after Eid, with a break on Eid day. Two will operate on the Dhaka-Dewanganj route, two on the Chattogram-Mymensingh route, and another two on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar route.

Two more special trains will operate on the Joydebpur-Parbatipur route three days before and after Eid, with a break on Eid day.

Eight Eid special trains will also be operated, four to Kishoreganj's Sholakia and four to Dinajpur's Gor-E-Shahid Eidgah.

To carry sacrificial animals, the railway will arrange two cattle special trains from 12 June to 14 June.

Anti-black ticketing measures 

To control black ticketing, the railway has taken several measures.

Sardar Shahadat Ali said when purchasing a ticket online, an OTP will be sent to the mobile number provided each time. Ticket seekers will only be allowed to purchase tickets for one round trip, with a maximum of four tickets per transaction. In such cases, the purchaser must input the information of their fellow travelers.

Railways Minister Md Zillul Hakim said, "We have effectively curbed black ticketing. Any remaining instances will also be addressed."

In response to another query, he said, "If any involvement of shohoj.com (railway ticket sellers) in black ticketing is found, we will take action against them."

He further said, "We are increasing surveillance and monitoring to ensure a safe and smooth Eid journey and will continue our efforts in this regard."

"We have also made all necessary preparations to control passengers without tickets and ensure trains operate on schedule during the Eid rush," he concluded.