BR arranges spl trains to facilitate Ijtema devotees
Friday, 6 January 2012
FE Report
Bangladesh Railway will press a number of special trains into service to facilitate hundreds of thousands of devotees to attend the Bishwa Ijtema in Tongi from all over the country
Railway Minister Suranjit Sengupta announced at the Railway Bhaban yesterday (Thursday) that the railway ministry will try to provide better arrangements this year.
Bishwa Ijtema, the world's second largest congregation held every year at the bank of the Turag river will be observed this year in two phases during January 13-15 and January 20-22.
The minister told the journalists that despite the ailing condition and resource constraints his ministry will provide seven special trains to facilitate the arrivals and departures of the devotees.
"We have made arrangements to carry people from far flung areas to the Ijtema venue and back," he said adding that apart from the special trains, 19 scheduled trains will also be in service.
He said all trains including the inter city ones will take a two minute stopover at Tongi station on the occasions and the week-end holidays of several other trains has been withdrawn.
On the occasion of Bishwa Ijtema, Bangladesh Railway has reduced the fare on Kamalapur - Tongi route to Tk 10 both ways for each ticket.
Besides, the BR has doubled Tongi station facilities including waiting rooms, prayer rooms and toilets this year to facilitate the devotees.
The Railway Minister urged the devotees to avail themselves of the rail services and avoid taking risky journeys.
Railway secretary Fazle Kabir, director general of BR Abu Taher and other railway high officials were present.
Bangladesh Railway will press a number of special trains into service to facilitate hundreds of thousands of devotees to attend the Bishwa Ijtema in Tongi from all over the country
Railway Minister Suranjit Sengupta announced at the Railway Bhaban yesterday (Thursday) that the railway ministry will try to provide better arrangements this year.
Bishwa Ijtema, the world's second largest congregation held every year at the bank of the Turag river will be observed this year in two phases during January 13-15 and January 20-22.
The minister told the journalists that despite the ailing condition and resource constraints his ministry will provide seven special trains to facilitate the arrivals and departures of the devotees.
"We have made arrangements to carry people from far flung areas to the Ijtema venue and back," he said adding that apart from the special trains, 19 scheduled trains will also be in service.
He said all trains including the inter city ones will take a two minute stopover at Tongi station on the occasions and the week-end holidays of several other trains has been withdrawn.
On the occasion of Bishwa Ijtema, Bangladesh Railway has reduced the fare on Kamalapur - Tongi route to Tk 10 both ways for each ticket.
Besides, the BR has doubled Tongi station facilities including waiting rooms, prayer rooms and toilets this year to facilitate the devotees.
The Railway Minister urged the devotees to avail themselves of the rail services and avoid taking risky journeys.
Railway secretary Fazle Kabir, director general of BR Abu Taher and other railway high officials were present.