Train ticket crisis in Joypurhat

Although it has been a week since Eid was celebrated across the country, people are still rescheduling their travelling date to reach their destinations while many are travelling on the roofs of trains risking their lives due to ticket crisis in Joypurhat. 

According to Bangladesh Railway (BR) officials, seven intercity trains stop at Joypurhat station regularly.

They are Akota Express, Drutojan Express, Nilsagar Express, Borendra Express, Rupsha Express, Titumir Express and Simanta Express.

Besides, there are two mail trains -- Rocket Mail and Uttara Express.

The trains ply on Dinajpur-Dhaka, Nilphamari-Dhaka, Saidpur-Khulna, Rajshahi-Khulna, Rajshahi-Chilahati routes.

Total seat allotment of these trains is 437. Of them, 150 seats are of Joypurhat-Dhaka routes while 287 seats are of Rajshahi-Khulna, Saidpur-Lalmonirhat routes, said BR officials.

Regular demand of train seats is 1200 in the district.

But, the demand of seats goes three to four times higher before and after festivals like Eid, said officials and locals.  

During a visit to the railway station in Joypurhat on Monday, this correspondent found hundreds of people gathered there and lined up for train tickets for travelling to their destinations.

“I have got my tickets after two attempts in the last two days,” said Rafiqul Islam. He blamed black marketing of tickets for crisis of train tickets.

“You will get a ticket easily if you pay Tk 200 additional,” said Rafiqul.  

Another passenger Nabiul Haq of Joypurhat urged the Ministry of Bangladesh Railway to increase allotment of seats for the people of Joypurhat as people think train service is safer.

Shawkat Ali, stationmaster of Joypurhat Railway Station, said there is ticket crisis in Joypurhat.

“A letter has already been sent to higher authorities of Bangladesh Railway to increase the seat allotments in the district. We hope to get a solution soon,” he said.