Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Water Transport Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam said Thursday that adequate fuel supply will be ensured for public transport from March 15, and that there is no risk of fare increases due to fuel concerns.
He made the remarks after visiting Dhaka Railway Station on the first day of the Eid train service on Friday.
The minister said there is no possibility of a transport crisis arising from the fuel situation, adding that the government is closely monitoring arrangements to maintain smooth travel during the Eid period.
Referring to the scale of the Eid journey, he noted that an estimated 12.5 million to 15 million people leave Dhaka within just two to three days — a movement he described as rare in global comparison. While acknowledging that managing such a large passenger flow in a short time is a major challenge, he said the government is working to address it effectively.
He also said that at least 85 to 87 locomotives are needed to prevent major disruptions to train schedules. Currently, 78 locomotives are in operation, and the addition of a few more in the coming days would help normalise services further, he added.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
