Passengers travelling on trains from Mohanganj in Netrokona to Dhaka are facing growing discomfort due to the presence of numerous hawkers inside the coaches, despite passengers travelling with valid tickets.
Two intercity trains and one commuter train operate from Mohanganj Railway Station to Dhaka. The Haor Express and Mohanganj Express leave the station at 8am and 11pm respectively, while the commuter train departs for Dhaka at around 3:30pm.
Passengers say the situation inside the trains becomes particularly uncomfortable because of the large number of hawkers moving through the coaches and loudly promoting their products.
Hawkers sell a wide range of goods, including peanuts, roasted gram, chanachur, mangoes, jujube, popcorn, chocolates, bottled water, soft drinks, various types of toothpaste, singara, coconut sweets and ice cream. Some also sell medicines, including deworming, headache and cold remedies.
According to passengers, the constant shouting and movement of the hawkers create an unpleasant environment inside the coaches. Children and sick passengers reportedly suffer the most, while women passengers can also face difficulties because of crowding, pushing and repeated movement through the narrow spaces.
Passengers also complain about repeated solicitation for money inside the trains. According to the report, members of the transgender community sometimes seek cash from passengers and may create disorder when money is not given. Beggars also approach passengers for financial assistance.
The continuous noise and solicitation can become particularly difficult for passengers during long journeys, with some reportedly becoming unwell after having to endure the situation for an extended period.
Passengers say there appears to be little effective restriction on such activities inside the trains. They allege that people can enter the coaches and engage in selling goods or soliciting money without adequate monitoring by the railway authorities.
Liton, a passenger travelling from Mohanganj Railway Station to Dhaka, called for greater discipline in railway services and measures to stop passenger harassment.
“Railways need to be more disciplined. Passenger harassment must stop. Excessive hawkers inside trains should be stopped, and railway police need to play a more active role,” he said.
He also said better management of the two intercity trains and one commuter train operating on the Mohanganj-Dhaka route could help passengers travel more comfortably and potentially enable the government to earn more revenue from the service.
Passengers are calling for stronger monitoring and effective measures to ensure a more orderly and comfortable journey on the Mohanganj-Dhaka route.
