In Kurigram, the Rail-Navy, Communications and Environment Development People’s Committee formed a human chain to protest against the increase in railway fares.
The program was held at Kurigram railway station at 10:30 am on Thursday.
Lecturer Abdul Quader, vice-president of the organization, columnist Nahid Hasan, former president of the organization’s central executive council, etc. spoke in it.
At that time, the speakers said, as the poorest and bordering district, the people of Kurigram have to suffer on the one hand due to the distance from the capital, on the other hand, they have to pay extra rent from now on.
Considering the increase in train fare unreasonable, they demanded withdrawal of the additional fare.
According to Sahaj-Synesis-Vincen JV and railway sources, the fare of Shovan Chair and AC Chair (Snigdha) class on Dhaka-Kurigram route has been increased from Tk 510 and Tk 972 to Tk 645 and Tk 1,237 respectively.
On the other hand, on Dhaka-Rangpur route Rangpur Express train, the fare of Shobhan Chair and AC Chair (Snigdha) class has been increased from Tk 505 and Tk 966 to Tk 635 and Tk 1,214 respectively. The fare of Shovan Chair and AC Chair (Snigdha) class on Chilahati Express train on Dhaka-Chilahati route has been increased from Tk 495 and Tk 949 to Tk 620 and Tk 1,185 respectively.
Additional train fare will be effective from May 4.
In a public notice on April 22, Bangladesh Railways said that in 1992, distance-based and section-based concessions were given to Bangladesh Railways. In 2012, ‘Sectional Rebate’ was abolished but distance based Rebate remains in force. Recently, Bangladesh Railways has decided to withdraw only the existing distance based concession without increasing fares on passenger trains. In view of that, the decision to withdraw the existing distance-based concession in all types of passenger trains will be implemented from May 4.
