Train ticket sale in black market rampant

DOT Desk
The sale of train tickets in black market has become rampant in most of the railway stations across the country, causing inconvenience to commuters, reports Daily Sun.
Many passengers alleged that most of the railway stations across the country, including Chattogram, Azampur and Akhaura in Brahmanbaria, have turned into a ‘den’ of black marketeers.
A ‘syndicate’ comprising some railway staff and locals buys tickets from counters in advance, creating an artificial crisis of the same and leaving passengers with no option but to get those from black market.
This misdeed is being happened at railway stations all the year round, detective sources said.
On Sunday, detective police caught an alleged black marketeer with 95 tickets in his possession from Chattogram railway station.
Police said the detainee, Yusuf Ali, was found selling tickets in black market in the station area.
“The authorities concerned are monitoring the whole area by close-circuit cameras,” they added.
A senior detective police officer of Chattogram said acting on a tip-off, a special team of the detective police conducted a drive and arrested the culprit with tickets.
During interrogation, Yusuf told police that he, in connivance with some railway staff, used to buy the tickets of different routes in advance for selling those for a higher price in black market.
Last month, banker Abdur Rahim rushed to Jamalpur railway station after his grandmother passed away. He went to the local railway station to buy the next day’s ticket to the capital.
Without any rush of passengers on a working day, he was told that all tickets had been sold out.
Worried, he looked for the ticket in black market there and eventually got it – but for a hefty price. He came back to Dhaka by Teesta Express.
Talking to this correspondent, several passengers, alleged that Azampur in Brahmanbaria has turned into a ‘den’ of scalpers.
This correspondent had to buy a ticket to Dhaka from black market at a higher price at Azampur railway station on Saturday.
Earlier, this scribe went to buy a ticket from the ticket counter, but the man at counter informed that all tickets had been sold out.
At that time, many scalpers were seen selling tickets to passengers under the very nose of law enforcement agency members.
Hundreds of passengers were found waiting at Azampur railway station for catching the Dhaka-bound Kalni Express from Sylhet. Finding no tickets, most of the passengers were seen boarding the train without tickets.
“A few days ago, my brother went to the ticket counter and sought three tickets. But he had to return empty handed,” said Sumi Aktar, who was returning to Dhaka with her mother and son.
Finding no other way, her brother bought tickets from scalpers, she alleged.
Contacted, the station master said locals may sell tickets in black market but he refuted the allegation that railway employees at the station were involved in the crime.
Mihir Kanti Gauha, ADG (operation) of Bangladesh Railway, on Wednesday said they were not aware of such evil practice at any railway station.
“It’s not our duty to catch those who sell tickets in black market,” he added.
“We’ll ask the local superintendent of police and the deputy commissioner to take action once we receive any complaint in this regard,” he said
Replying to a question, the ADG further said stern action will be taken if any of our railway staff is found involved in such misdeed.