Bangladesh Railway is set to operate special trains on the Chittagong-Cox's Bazar railway line for ten days, to facilitate Eid travel.
The Turna Express from Dhaka to Chittagong, Mahanagar Express, and Meghna Express from Chandpur will extend their routes to Cox's Bazar. Since its inception, Cox's Bazar station has generated Tk 14 crore in revenue. Measures have been implemented to curb ticket black market activities.
Passengers traveling from Cox's Bazar to Chittagong will pay Tk 185 per ticket, eliciting joy among commuters for the introduction of new train services. However, concerns regarding cleanliness and service quality have been raised by some passengers.
Ticket sales at counters will be suspended from April 3 to April 18. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated train services on the Cox's Bazar route in November last year, with commercial operations commencing in December.
President of Cox's Bazar Citizens' Forum, A.N.M. Helal Uddin, expressed satisfaction at the realization of long-awaited railway services, allowing travelers to reach Cox's Bazar from Dhaka conveniently.
During Eid, special trains numbered 9 and 10 will operate between Chittagong and Cox's Bazar, departing at 7 am and 7 pm respectively. These trains will stop at eight stations along the route, with fares ranging from Tk 185 to Tk 340.
Station Master Mohammad Golam Rabbani emphasized the importance of the special Eid trains, ensuring timely travel arrangements for passengers. Additional security measures have been implemented to prevent ticket black market activities.
The government's decision to sell tickets exclusively online aims to curb ticket scalping during the holiday period. Tickets will not be available at counters from April 3 to 18, underscoring Bangladesh Railway's commitment to fair and transparent ticketing processes.
The construction of the Chittagong-Cox's Bazar railway line, approved in 2010, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2011 and completed in November 2020, with a total cost of Tk 18,034 crore.
This 101-kilometer railway line has significantly enhanced connectivity to Cox's Bazar, a popular tourist destination in Bangladesh.
