Although different measures have been taken by the authorities to stop
irregularities, black marketers are still active at Sylhet railway
station. They are offering home-bound people tickets at a rate a few
times higher than the actual price. Hundreds of people have been
desperately trying to buy a train ticket standing in long queues for
hours.
People alleged that some corrupt railway officials and countermen, who
are selling tickets, are giving tickets to the black marketers.
According to a pre-announced schedule, train tickets for August 8 were
sold on Tuesday.
Ticket-seekers alleged, a couple of minutes after the beginning of
sale at 9 am the counterman said over 100 tickets have been sold.
After two hours counterman suddenly announced that the tickets are
sold out.
“A counterman kept me standing 10 minutes in front of his desk as he
prepared five tickets and kept those in his pocket,” said Rafikul
Alam, who got tickets of Uddayan (Sylhet-Chittagong)
Rahman Mia, ticket-seeker for Akhaura said, according to the notice
board, tickets of 300 seats of Paharia are supposed to be sold but,
after selling tickets to around 40 to 50 customers, the counterman
announced tickets are sold out.
Meanwhile, advance tickets for most of the reputed bus services for
August 4, 5, 6, 7 are on sale. Unique Paribahan Sylhet office
informed, tickets for all regions are available. Now we are selling
tickets for August 7 and 8.
Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) Sylhet office started
selling advance tickets for Mymensingh, Tangail, Comilla on Tuesday.
Abul Kalam Azad, Station Manager of Sylhet Railway Station said we are
keeping sharp vigilance to resist black marketing of tickets. Due to
unavailability of tickets, he said, the demand has gone much higher
than the capacity of the railway. –Sylhet Correspondent
