Road Transport and Bridges, Railways, and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam has said that, ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, adequate fuel supply for public transportation across the country will be ensured from March 15, and there are no plans to increase fuel prices.
He confirmed the matter while speaking to journalists during a visit to Kamalapur Railway Station on Friday morning.
The minister said that the Energy Minister has given him full assurance on the matter. As a result, there is no possibility of a transport crisis or fare increase due to fuel shortages. He also mentioned that the Eid journey of people returning home has so far been comfortable, and the government has taken all necessary preparations to ensure smooth travel for passengers.
Regarding the online advance train ticket sales, the minister said that since ticket sales began on March 3, there has been heavy demand from passengers. Around 3.7 million people attempted to purchase tickets, but according to the railway’s capacity, only 36,000 tickets per day could be sold. Reassuring passengers concerned about the quality of railway services, he said the current standards will be maintained at any cost and will be further improved in the future.
Sheikh Robiul Alam also mentioned that under the Prime Minister’s directives, major reforms are underway to modernize railway communication and make it more passenger-friendly. To ensure smooth Eid travel, 124 additional coaches and five pairs of special trains have already been added to the railway service, which will be able to serve up to 42,000 passengers daily.
Regarding maintaining train schedules, the minister said that 78 locomotives (engines) have currently been added to avoid major disruptions, and the number will increase within the next couple of days.
He also said strict measures are being taken to stop people from traveling on train roofs. Although it is difficult to ensure it completely, the authorities are trying their best to prevent passengers from traveling in such risky ways. Managing the massive pressure of nearly 15 million people leaving Dhaka is a major challenge, but the government plans to increase transport capacity by adding new coaches and buses.
On the issue of safety and road management, the minister said that to ensure safe Eid travel, the police, Ansar, and other law enforcement agencies are working in coordination. Volunteers have been deployed every 500 meters to maintain order.
He also noted that although work on a six-lane expansion of the Dhaka–Sylhet highway is ongoing, at least two lanes have been kept open so that traffic movement does not stop completely. He added that the administration is ready to quickly handle any unexpected situation and requested passengers to show patience and cooperation during times of difficulty.
