Dhaka: Bangladesh Railway authorities began selling advance train tickets from Monday to ensure a smooth journey for the home-bound holidaymakers on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, the second greatest religious festivals.

Bangladesh Railway Joint Director General (Operation) S M Murad Hossain said the sale of advance train ticket started at about 8:00am. He said the officials of Dhaka and Chittagong Railway Stations will supervise the selling of advance train tickets amid adequate security surveillance.

A witness said a long queue was seen at the Kamlapur railway station centring the collection of advance train tickets for Eid festival. The official said sale of tickets would continue at 8:00am every day and each passenger will be allowed to purchase four tickets but no ticket once sold will be returned.

Bangladesh Railway will distribute train tickets of 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11September respectively on 29, 30, 31 August and 1 and 2September, said SM Murad Hossain.

Besides, the return tickets of the railways will be available at Rajshahi, Khulna, Rangpur, Dinajpur and Lalmonirhat railway stations after the Eid-ul-Azha.

‘Return tickets will be distributed on 5, 7, 8 and 9 September for 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 September respectively,’ he added.

Seven pairs of special trains will be added to the existing ones in order to facilitate the

holidaymakers ahead of the Eid, Hossain said.

Earlier on 21 August at a press conference, Railways Minister Mohammad Mujibul Hauqe said seven pairs of special trains—including two pairs for Sholakia Eid congregation—will be added to facilitate the holidaymakers on the Eid occasion.

He said a total of 1,146 passengers’ compartments including 140 repaired ones will be added to the fleet while 220 railway locomotives (engine) will be there on the occasion of Eid.

Meanwhile, the railways minister said no train service to and from Dhaka-Kolkata would ply on 11 and 12 September on the occasion.