Target safe journey

Government and transport operators are preparing to take precautionary measures for ensuring a safe and hassle-free journey of Eid-ul-Fitr holidaymakers.

Sale of advance rail tickets for Eid will start on July 9 and the railway ministry would operate seven pairs of special trains to cope with the Eid rush, said Railway Minister Mazibul Hoque.

Meanwhile in parliament, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader claimed that there would be no traffic congestion on highways during the Eid.

WATERWAYS

At a meeting yesterday, representatives of shipping ministry, civil and police administrations, and launch owners discussed detail course of action for ensuring passengers' safety and their smooth journey.

The meeting held at the office of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority.

The decision taken in the meeting to this end include preventing vessels from overloading, preventing passengers from travelling on the roof, having rescue vessels standby around the clock and keeping sufficient life jackets in launches during the journey.

At the meeting, launch owner vowed not to carry more passengers than the vessel's capacity and charge extra during Eid travels.

Launch owners also criticised the BIWTA and law enforcers, alleging they remain silent when different irregularities, including incidents of extortion, takes place during the Eid rush.

Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan then said, "We have directed law enforcers and other government bodies concerned to take stern action against any thing that may be a concern for passengers' safety."

He also said at a state-run vessel 'Modhumoti' would be included in the fleet before Eid.

RAILWAYS

At a press briefing at the Railway Bhaban in the capital, Minister Mazibul Hoque said advance rail tickets for July 13-17 would be sold from July 9-13 correspondingly. Similarly, return ticket for July 20-24 would be sold from July 16-20.

Tickets would be available at Kamalapur Railway Station in Dhaka and Chittagong Railway Station. One individual would be able to buy maximum four tickets.

Mazibul said seven pairs of special trains would be operated from July 15 to 26 to cope with the Eid rush. A total of 169 new passenger coaches would be incorporated in the fleet ahead of the festival.

Inter-city trains would run everyday from July 13 to the day before the Eid and all the officials and employees of the railway would remain standby to deal with the rush.

Bangladesh Railway is preparing to carry over 2.5 lakh passengers a day during the Eid rush, according to the minister.

ROADS

In parliament, Obaidul Quader said there would be no traffic congestion on highways during the Eid as several measures were taken in this regard.

He said his road transport and bridges ministry remained active to ensure a safe and hassle-free journey of Eid holidaymakers.

While replying to lawmakers' queries, Quader claimed the highways were fit for vehicle movement. He said mobile teams of engineers would remain standby to repair roads, if necessary.

Seeking police cooperation to tackle traffic during the Eid, Quader also told parliament that a meeting with all the stakeholders would be held at his office today ahead of the festival.

He said the much-awaited Dhaka-Mymensingh four-lane highway would be open to vehicles before Eid.