Online Desk : Bangladesh Railway will start selling advance train tickets for Eid-ul-Azha holidaymakers from May 21, while return tickets will be available starting May 30.

“All tickets will be sold exclusively online, following the overwhelming response during Eid-ul-Fitr,” said Railways Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan after a meeting with stakeholders at Bidyut Bhaban.

To ensure a smooth and comfortable Eid journey, the government also plans to introduce five additional pairs of special trains, he added.

Khan said selling of advanced train tickets for all intercity trains in western zone will be issued from 8 am while tickets will be sold for western zone trains from 2pm.

According to railway sources, a total of 33,315 seats will be available in 43 intercity trains from Dhaka to other parts of the country.

It said advance train tickets for journey on May 31 will be available on May 21, for June 1 on May 22, for June 2 on May 23, for June 3 on May 24, for June 4 on May 25, for June 5 on May 26 and for June 6 on May 27.

Return tickets for travel on June 9 will be on sale on May 30, for June 10 on May 31, for June 11 on June 1, for June 12 on June 2, for June 13 on June 3, for June 14 on June 4 and for June 15 on June 5.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Home Affairs Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser? on Road Transport and Bridges Dr Sheik Moinuddin, Senior Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division Ehsanul Hoque, Secretary of Bridges Division Mohammad Abdur Rouf, stakeholders and concerned officials were present.

The adviser said every passenger can purchase maximum four tickets with one user number. He said at the request of the passengers the railway has decided to sale 25 percent standing tickets against the total number of seats from station counters.

Khan said the weekly holidays of all intercity trains will remain suspended from June 3 to before Eid day.

After the Eid-ul Azha services of intercity trains will be as usual. But no intercity train service will be available on Eid day.

Depending on the sighting of the moon, Eid-ul-Azha is expected to be celebrated on June 7 or 8.