HASSLE DURING TICKET PURCHASE IN KOLKATA
The passengers from Dhaka faced unbearable sufferings when they went to buy return tickets in Kolkata. They were asked to go to Rail Bhaban at Fairly Place in Kolkata at 8:00am on April 15 and most of them had to wait till 3:00pm to get the tickets for Dhaka. Though Indian authorities made the security system foolproof, they are yet to put any well- organised system for ticket sale. The two computers used by the staff there remained out of order for a long time. “You see, our computers are not working,” a female staff said, while struggling to pacify the agitating passengers who started shouting at one stage. Bangladesh wants the Indian authorities to speed up the ticket sale process as well as to start selling Maitree Express tickets at the Kolkata Station instead of the Rail Bhaban .
Many passengers have asked for easing the visa issuing system and establishing separate counters at Indian High Commission in Dhaka for the Maitree passengers.
Since the train runs on Saturday and Sunday while Friday and Saturday are weekly holidays, special visa arrangement should be made for the passengers, a communication ministry official said.