8 special trains to operate on Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar, Dhaka-Ctg routes during Durga Puja

Bangladesh Railway has decided to operate four pairs of special trains in the eastern region to accommodate the increased passenger demand during the Sharadiya Durga Puja, the biggest hindu festival.

According to railway officials, three pairs of ‘Puja Special’ trains will run on the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route from September 30 to October 4, while one pair will operate on the Dhaka-Chattogram route during the same period.

Each special train will consist of 18 coaches, offering 834 seats during daytime services and 789 seats for night services. Ticket fares will be aligned with those of regular Subarna, Sonar Bangla, and Cox’s Bazar Express trains.

However, passengers will be charged a 30 percent extra charge for AC seats and 20 percent for non-AC seats on these special trains.

The schedule is as follows:

September 30: A special train from Chattogram to Dhaka will depart at 2:45pm, arriving in Dhaka by 8:00pm. That night, ‘Tourist Special-1002’ will depart Kamalapur Station at 10:30pm, bound for Cox’s Bazar.

October 1: ‘Tourist Special-1001’ will leave Cox’s Bazar at 11:30am and reach Dhaka by 8:00pm. The ‘Tourist Special-1002’ will depart Dhaka for Cox’s Bazar again that night.

October 3: ‘Tourist Special-1001’ will depart Cox’s Bazar in the morning, while ‘Tourist Special-1002’ will leave Dhaka for Cox’s Bazar at night.

October 4: ‘Tourist Special-1001’ will arrive in Dhaka in the morning. A special train from Dhaka to Chattogram will depart at 10:30pm and reach Chattogram at 4:30am the following day.

Tarek Muhammad Imran, deputy chief operating superintendent of the Railway Eastern Zone, said, "The special trains are being introduced to meet the heightened passenger demand during Puja."

"Additionally, all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure safe and comfortable travel for passengers," he added.