Railway west zone to transport sacrificial animals to Dhaka

The West Zone of Bangladesh Railway has taken the arrangement of transporting cattle to Dhaka from Chapainawabganj and Rajshahi districts centering the Eid-ul-Azha at less cost.

But, it has no arrangement of cattle special trains separately. Cattle will be transported in separate wagons of the existing mango special train from today to Monday (June 24 to 26).

Asim Kumar Talukder, general manager of the zone, said the sacrificial animals will be transported to mark the Eid-Ul-Azha on the basis of demand of farmers and businessmen for the third consecutive year.

The train will depart Rohanpur Railway Station at 4:00pm for Dhaka. It will load cattle in six stations, including Chapainawabganj and Rajshahi, and reach Dhaka in the deep night.

Asim Talukder said the train service will be operated from June 24 to 26 and the operation will extend one day subject to demand.

He said 20 cattle can be transported to Dhaka in a broad gauge wagon at a cost of Tk 11,830. Per kilometer, the fare for a wagon load of cattle heads (20 cattle heads) has been fixed at Tk 20.

The 343-kilometre long path from Rajshahi to Dhaka will cost Tk 6,860 for a wagon load of cattle heads. In addition, Tk 1,376 surcharge will be realized and Tk 2,574 terminal fare will be charged totaling Tk 11,830 for carrying 20 cattle heads from Rajshahi to Dhaka.

Asim Talukder also said the decision has been taken to encourage marginal cattle farm owners to carry sacrificial animals easily and at a low cost to Dhaka based on the suggestion of the stakeholders.

He said starting from Chapainawabganj, the special train would halt at six railway stations, including Kakanhat, Rajshahi and Bangabandhu Bridge West.