By Md Aynal Haque RAJSHAHI, March 4, 2026 (BSS) - The Western Zone of Bangladesh Railway will operate two special trains to ensure smooth and comfortable travel for passengers during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the greatest religious festivals of the Muslims. A proposal in this regard has been sent from the office of the General Manager of Western Zone Railway to the Bangladesh Railway headquarters at Rail Bhaban in Dhaka. According to railway sources, special arrangements will begin from March 21 to facilitate Eid passengers. In view of the anticipated rush, additional coaches will be attached to several designated intercity trains from March 17 to March 30. Besides regular services, two special trains - Parbatipur Special and Joydebpur Special - will operate from March 17 to 19 before Eid and from March 23 to 26 after Eid. The Parbatipur Special will depart Parbatipur at 11:00 am and reach Joydebpur at 3:20 pm. It will leave Joydebpur at 5:10 pm and arrive back in Parbatipur at 9:40 pm. The Joydebpur Special will depart Joydebpur at 8:30 am and arrive in Parbatipur at 12:50 pm. It will leave Parbatipur at 2:50 pm and reach Joydebpur at 7:10 pm. The trains will halt at major northern stations, including Chatmohar, Ishwardi Bypass, Natore and Ahsanganj. Each train will have around 786 seats. Authorities said the number of coaches may be adjusted depending on passenger demand, and additional coaches may be added if necessary. Railway officials said special train services are also planned on important routes such as Dhaka-Rajshahi, Dhaka-Khulna, Dhaka-Chilahati and Dhaka-Panchagarh considering passenger pressure. Old coaches have been refurbished to make them suitable for operation. From March 17 to 30, extra chair and sleeper coaches will be attached to high-demand intercity trains in the Western Zone to manage the Eid rush. Maintenance activities have been intensified, and sufficient coaches and locomotives are being kept ready to ensure uninterrupted services. Ticket sales for journeys from March 13 to 19 began sequentially from March 3. Sale of tickets for March 20, 21 and 22 will depend on moon sighting. Tickets for Western Zone intercity trains will be available from 8:00 am, while tickets for Eastern Zone trains will be sold from 2:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased both online and at station counters. To ensure passenger safety and discipline, additional manpower will be deployed at stations and security measures strengthened. An adequate number of Ansar members will be engaged to maintain security, while traffic personnel will be stationed at the entrance of Rajshahi Railway Station to ease congestion. Zonal and divisional control offices have been directed to remain active. Officials will perform duties at key stations, and special onboard checking drives will be conducted to maintain order. Special attention will also be given to track repair and maintenance. General Manager of Western Zone Railway Farid Ahmed said adequate preparations have been taken to ensure a safe and comfortable Eid journey. "We hope passengers will enjoy a smooth and pleasant journey this Eid. We also expect their cooperation in maintaining discipline and following railway rules," he added.  

RAJSHAHI, March 4, 2026 (BSS)- Shopping has started gaining momentum at the city's malls in Rajshahi ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. A festive atmosphere has already begun to take shape in the markets.   Although there was not much crowd initially, business has become brisk midway through Ramadan at Theme Omar Plaza in the city.  Traders said that from morning to evening there is a heavy rush at outlets such as Aarong, Larive, Top Ten, Infinity, Richman, Easy, Gentle Park, Bishwo Rang, Grameen Check, Sailor, Sara and others at Theme Omar Plaza.  They explained that people from surrounding areas come with their families to shop at these malls and return home before evening.       Local residents of the city, however, mainly visit the malls after iftar to complete their Eid shopping.   Showrooms are offering modern designs of men's pajama-panjabi sets, shirts, pants, vests and T-shirts; women's sarees, three-pieces, one-pieces and kurtas; and children's pajama-panjabi sets, frocks and vest sets.  At the same time, cosmetic shops, footwear stores, home d‚cor outlets and jewelry shops are also witnessing large crowds.  Customers said that although prices are somewhat higher, they prefer shopping at these malls because they are fully air-conditioned. With the current heat in the city, there is a particularly large turnout of Eid shoppers at Theme Omar Plaza and other air-conditioned malls.   Shopkeepers said that although Eid shopping did not start early this year, business is now increasing day by day, with crowds growing steadily.  A wide range of new designs for women, men and children is selling in large quantities.  There is strong demand for muslin, silk, Jamdani, katan, Kashmiri-embroidered Nayen sarees and lehengas, men's pajama-panjabi sets and T-shirts, and colorful, comfortable outfits for children.       Traders also noted that due to the heat, most customers are giving preference to cotton fabrics.  Meanwhile, at Saheb Bazar Cloth Market, a significant crowd of female shoppers has been observed from morning to evening ahead of Eid.  Buyers said they come to this market first because they can find their desired items at affordable prices.   Customers also mentioned that, as in previous years, sellers are asking higher prices for clothes ahead of Eid.  Since schools and colleges have been closed since the beginning of Ramadan, many people plan to shop early and then travel to their village homes. Understanding this situation, sellers are reluctant to reduce prices.  Buyers said that every year new clothes are purchased for everyone during Eid-ul-Fitr, and since there is usually a heavy rush at the last moment, they prefer to shop in advance. Although it requires more time and effort, they feel the happiness of their family members makes it worthwhile.