SAIDPUR RAILWAY STATION

Train tickets being sold by black-marketers

Black-marketers are selling train tickets at double the price at Saidpur railway station, it has been alleged.

This correspondent came across several aggrieved passengers leaving ticket counters as they could not get tickets.

Afroza Khatun, a teacher, was standing in the queue to buy a ticket for the Nilsagor Express bound for Dhaka from Chilahati. She had come to her father’s house at Saidpur during her vacation.

She told this correspondent that all tickets for the next four days were sold. She, however, managed to buy a ticket at Tk. 900 from black-marketers. The ticket’s original price was Tk. 450.

Explaining his ordeal, Rashiul Islam, a resident of Alokdihi village in Chinir Bandor upazila of Dinajpur district, said he had to buy a ticket from black-marketers at double the price from Saidpur railway station. “It was an urgent trip. So, I had no other option,” he added.

Sources said black-marketers stand in the queue early in the morning and purchase all the tickets in collusion with some dishonest railway officials.

It was alleged that the black-marketers have been operating at the station for a long time. Tickets for the routes such as Saidpur to Khulna, Saidpur to Rajshahi and Saidpur to Dhaka are never available from the railway counters. They have already been sold to the black-marketers. And travellers have to buy them at a premium.

Md Idrish Ali, president of the Saidpur Bonik Samiti, told The Independent: “Passengers are suffering as they have to pay double the price for a ticket. The authorities must take immediate action against corrupt rail officials and the police should arrest the black-marketers.”

Md Abul Kashem, station master, however, denied the allegation. “I’ve not received any complaints yet. Stern action will be taken against any official if he is found to be involved,” he said.

When contacted, Md Bajrul Rashid, UNO of Saidpur, said he would launch an investigation and necessary action would be taken soon. “A mobile court will be set up, if needed,” he added.

 

SAIDPUR RAILWAY STATION

Train tickets being sold by black-marketers

Black-marketers are selling train tickets at double the price at Saidpur railway station, it has been alleged. This correspondent came across several aggrieved passengers leaving ticket counters as they could not get tickets. Afroza Khatun, a teacher, was standing in the queue to buy a ticket for the Nilsagor Express bound for Dhaka from Chilahati. She had come to her fathers house at Saidpur during her vacation. She told this correspondent that all tickets for the next four days were sold. She, however, managed to buy a ticket at Tk. 900 from black-marketers. The tickets original price was Tk. 450. Explaining his ordeal, Rashiul Islam, a resident of Alokdihi village in Chinir Bandor upazila of Dinajpur district, said he had to buy a ticket from black-marketers at double the price from Saidpur railway station. It was an urgent trip. So, I had no other option, he added. Sources said black-marketers stand in the queue early in the morning and purchase all the tickets in collusion with some dishonest railway officials. It was alleged that the black-marketers have been operating at the station for a long time. Tickets for the routes such as Saidpur to Khulna, Saidpur to Rajshahi and Saidpur to Dhaka are never available from the railway counters. They have already been sold to the black-marketers. And travellers have to buy them at a premium. Md Idrish Ali, president of the Saidpur Bonik Samiti, told The Independent: Passengers are suffering as they have to pay double the price for a ticket. The authorities must take immediate action against corrupt rail officials and the police should arrest the black-marketers. Md Abul Kashem, station master, however, denied the allegation. Ive not received any complaints yet. Stern action will be taken against any official if he is found to be involved, he said. When contacted, Md Bajrul Rashid, UNO of Saidpur, said he would launch an investigation and necessary action would be taken soon. A mobile court will be set up, if needed, he added.