Swapan Kumar Singh :

Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, Bangladesh Railway has taken an extensive set of measures to ensure smoother travel and facilitate the transportation of sacrificial animals. As part of the plan, the railway will operate 10 pairs of special passenger trains along with three dedicated cattle trains to manage the surge in demand. The decisions were finalised at a preparatory meeting held on April 30.
According to railway officials, the cattle trains will depart from northern regions including Dewanganj and Islampur, transporting livestock to designated stations in Dhaka such as Cantonment and Tejgaon. This step is expected to streamline animal transport to the capital while reducing pressure on road networks during the peak holiday period.
To accommodate the increased number of travellers, special trains will run on key routes including Chattogram–Chandpur, Dhaka–Dewanganj and Joydebpur–Parbatipur. Additionally, special services will be operated on Eid day to facilitate devotees travelling to the historic Sholakia Eidgah from Bhairab and Mymensingh to Kishoreganj.
Advance ticket sales will begin on May 13, with tickets released in phases for journeys ahead of Eid. Return tickets will go on sale from May 21. To minimise inconvenience, all advance tickets will be sold online, while a limited number of standing tickets will be available at station counters on the day of travel. Each passenger will be allowed to purchase up to four tickets, with measures in place to prevent multiple bookings by the same person.
The railway has also temporarily suspended weekly off-days for intercity trains and arranged additional coaches and locomotives to maintain regular operations. Monitoring has been strengthened through dedicated control cells at divisional and regional levels, with increased oversight at major stations and key junctions.
Security has been tightened to prevent unauthorised entry, with law enforcement deployed at major stations to ensure only ticketed passengers can access platforms. To prioritise passenger movement, most freight services—except fuel-carrying trains—will remain suspended for three days before Eid and one day after.
Director General of Bangladesh Railway Md. Afzal Hossain said comprehensive preparations have been made to ensure a safe and comfortable journey. “With additional trains, a fully digital ticketing system and enhanced security measures, we expect this year’s Eid travel to be significantly more convenient and passenger-friendly,” he added.