OUR CORRESPONDENT
CHATTOGRAM, June 23: Local people have threatened to launch a tougher movement if their demand for permanent and regular operation of Cox's Bazar special train is not met.
The call came from a press conference held in the Chattogram Press Club on Sunday afternoon.
The Shachetan Nagorik Somaj, a platform of prominent citizens, organised the press conference.
Addressing the conference, the speakers said if the special train is halted from next Tuesday (June 25), it would also lead to the stoppage of two intercity trains on Chattogram-Cox's Bazar route.
They announced that a memorandum would be submitted to the Chattogram Divisional Commissioner and the Bangladesh Railway (BR) General Manager (Eastern Zone) on Monday (June 24), demanding the permanent operation of the Cox's Bazar Special Train.
They threatened if their demands are not met, they would go on a tougher movement.
The BR authorities are considering extending the operation period of the special train by 20 more days until July 15 due to a high demand of passengers.
Chattogram Divisional Manager of the BR Saiful Islam said the special trains started operation again on June 12 for the holy Eid-ul-Azha and were scheduled to run until June 24.
However, a proposal has been sent to the railway headquarters to extend the service by 20 more days. The approval is still pending.
The special train service which was first introduced on the route on April 8 for Eid-ul-Fitr rapidly gained popularity.
The train service was temporarily halted on May 31 due to the shortages of engines and manpower.
The service resumed on June 12 for Eid-ul-Azha and is now set to run until June 24. The decision to potentially halt the special train has sparked anger among local people.
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Ctg people demand regular service of Cox's Bazar special train
FE Team | Published: June 23, 2024 23:29:40
Ctg people demand regular service of Cox's Bazar special train
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