Dhaka, May 17 (V7N) — Bangladesh Railway has continued the sale of advance intercity train tickets ahead of the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Azha to ensure smooth travel for passengers returning home during the holiday season.
On Sunday, the railway authorities began selling advance tickets for intercity trains scheduled to operate on May 27, marking the final day of advance ticket sales for the Eid journey under the current schedule. To prevent ticket black marketing and reduce passenger suffering, the authorities have once again decided to sell 100 percent of tickets online.
According to Bangladesh Railway, tickets are being sold separately by region to ease pressure on the online server system. Tickets for trains operating in the western region were made available from 8:00 am on Sunday, while tickets for eastern region trains are scheduled to go on sale online from 2:00 pm.
Under the special Eid travel arrangement, advance tickets for five days of intercity train journeys have been sold gradually since May 13. Tickets for May 23 journeys were sold on May 13, tickets for May 24 on May 14, tickets for May 25 on May 15 and tickets for May 26 on May 16. The final batch for May 27 journeys is being sold on Sunday.
Railway authorities also said that ticket sales dates for May 28, 29 and 30 will be announced later depending on the sighting of the Eid moon.
Meanwhile, return journey ticket sales are set to begin from May 21. Tickets for May 31 journeys will be available on that day, while tickets for June 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be sold on May 22, 23, 24 and 25 respectively.
According to the railway department’s guidelines, each passenger will be allowed to purchase tickets only once per journey and can buy a maximum of four tickets at a time. Authorities have also made national identity card verification mandatory for every ticket purchase. The railway department further clarified that advance Eid journey tickets will not be refundable under any circumstances.
To accommodate passengers unable to secure tickets online, Bangladesh Railway has introduced an alternative arrangement. On the day of travel, 25 percent of total seats — excluding upper-class categories — will be sold directly from station counters as standing or seatless tickets, allowing emergency travel opportunities for passengers.
Bangladesh Railway prepared the Eid train operation schedule considering the probable date of Eid-ul-Azha on May 28. Passengers have been advised to use the railway’s official website and mobile application for smooth and secure ticket purchases.
END/SMA/AJ
