The West Zone of Bangladesh Railway has taken the arrangement of transporting cattle heads to Dhaka from Chapainawabganj and Rajshahi districts centering the Eid-ul-Adha at less cost.
But, it has no arrangement of cattle special trains separately. Cattles will be transported in separate wagons of the existing mango special train from June 24 to 26 this year.
Asim Kumar Talukder, General Manager of the zone, said the sacrificial animals will be transported to mark the Eid-Ul-Adha on the basis of demand of farmers and businessmen for the third consecutive year.
The train will depart Rohanpur railway station at 4pm for Dhaka. It will load cattles in six stations, including Chapainawabganj and Rajshahi, and to reach Dhaka in the deep night.
AsimTalukder 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 Taka 11,830. Per kilometer fare for a wagon load of cattle heads (20 cattle heads) has been fixed at Taka 20.
The 343 kilometre long path from Rajshahi to Dhaka will cost Taka 6,860 for a wagon load of cattle heads. In addition, Taka 1,376 surcharge will be realised and Taka 2,574 terminal fare will be charged totaling Taka 11,830 for carrying 20 cattle heads from Rajshahi to Dhaka. AsimTalukder 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 added that starting from Chapainawabganj, the special train would halt at six railway stations including Kakanhat, Rajshahi and Bangabandhu Bridge West.
The covered wagons of the railway have sufficient windows allowing air inside. Moreover, the trains will run at night so that the animals being carried do not fall ill due to excessive heat at day time.
Measures have been taken so that cattle and cattle traders would also be able to travel to their destinations in the same wagons.
He informed, carrying sacrificial animals through the train will both save time and money for the cattle traders.
He also said the thrust of this train is to transport cattle from the western part of the country to Dhaka, based on the demand from ranchers.