Huge rush for return train tickets

Many people, who came to their native homes to celebrate Eid, didn't get tickets at Lalmonirhat Railway Station to return to their workplaces in the capital and other parts of the country.

Ticket-seekers were seen waiting at the railway station for tickets while many seen standing in long queues for hours yesterday to get standing tickets.

Considering the Eid vacation, Bangladesh Railway authorities sell standing tickets on many routes to generate the chaotic situation and cope with the passenger's demand.

Several passengers alleged that the railway authorities operating the 'Lalmoni Express' with only two compartments on Lalmonirhat-Dhaka route which is not enough to met the growing public demand.

Railway sources said many passengers were deprived and didn't get tickets at the station as only 142 out of 650 tickets for 'Lalmoni Express' were given to Lalmonirhat Railway Station for sale.

Besides, all the nine first class tickets, kept reserved for the VIP passengers, were not sold to the passengers.  

Delwar Hossain, 42, a resident of College Road in the town, said "I prefer for train services because to me travelling by train safer than using the road."

Azizul Islam, 45, of BDR Road area, said he purchased five standing tickets for his family as most passengers board the train with 'standing tickets' due to shortage of seats.

Sumon Islam, counter manager at the station, said due to the crisis he has been selling at least 250-300 standing tickets every day.