Return train tickets pricey

Getting return tickets of Bangladesh Railway (BR) has become difficult for Eid holidaymakers in Dinajpur, Rangpur and Joypurhat as most tickets goes to the black marketers allegedly in collusion with some dishonest officials and staff.

Sale of return tickets started on Friday, said officials.

During a visit to Dinajpur Railway Station on Sunday and Monday, this correspondent found several hundred people waiting in queues in front of the ticket counters.

But, only a few of them were seen getting the tickets there while many others had to collect it from black marketers for much higher than the actual prices. 

“I had to give Tk 7,000 to a black marketer for two tickets while its actual price is Tk 1,800,” said Shamim Ahmed, who came to Dinajpur from Sylhet for celebrating Eid with his family members.

“Train tickets are available at different shops in the station area as most of the tickets are sold to black marketers,” he said.

“You have to pay three times higher to get the tickets. To get two tickets for going to Dhaka on August 28, I stood in queues for the second consecutive day today but failed,” said Abul Kalam Azad, waiting at Dinajpur Railway Station yesterday.

A group of people are seen collecting tickets every day, he said.

Several ticket seekers said they could not lodge any complaint to Md Abdul Zabbar, station super of Dinajpur Railway Station, as his room is always found closed.

The room remains open only during departure of trains.

Six trains ply Dinajpur-Dhaka route daily.      

There are allegations that two syndicates backed by the station super and Anwar Hossain Manju, a stationmaster, control the black market.

This correspondent tried to reach the two officials for their comments, but none of them was available at their office during a two-hour-long wait at the station on Monday.

They could not be reached through their mobile phones too.

Similar problems are reported from other stations including Chirirbandar, Parbatipur, Phulbari and Birampur in Dinajpur, Sadar and Akkelpur in Joypurhat, and in Rangpur.

Contacted, Sovon Roy, station super of Rangpur Railway Station, refuted the allegation of ticket black marketing.