Bangladesh Railway is set to add several additonal coaches to regular Rajshahi-Dhaka trains More than 35,000 leaders, activists, and supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) from Rajshahi are preparing to travel to Dhaka to mark the return of the party’s Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman.

Party sources said between 35,000 and 37,000 activists from Rajshahi city and district will head to the capital by train, bus, microbus, and private car. Buses from different upazilas of the district will depart a day earlier and overnight, while many activists are travelling on personal arrangements.

Rajshahi Metropolitan BNP General Secretary Mahfuzur Rahman Riton said 70 buses, along with several microbuses and private cars, have been arranged from the metropolitan area. Railway coaches have also been booked.

“Many activists have already left. We estimate that 15,000 to 16,000 activists from the metropolitan area alone will go to Dhaka. All preparations have been completed,” he said.

Metropolitan BNP President Mamunur Rashid Mamun said two additional railway coaches have been allocated for city activists. “Many of our leaders and activists have already reached Dhaka. We hope our activists will witness history by being present there,” he added.

Rajshahi District BNP Convener Abu Sayeed Chand said the highest turnout is expected from Rajshahi-6 constituency (Bagha–Charghat), with around 4,000 to 5,000 activists travelling to Dhaka.

“Altogether, 22,000 to 25,000 activists from all upazilas of the district will attend. Many will travel by train in addition to buses and microbuses,” he said.

Bagmara Upazila BNP Convener and BNP-nominated candidate for Rajshahi-4 constituency, DM Ziaur Rahman Zia, said around 500 activists from his upazila have already departed.

“On Wednesday night, 20 buses and 30 microbuses will leave from Bagmara. Many leaders are travelling independently. We expect around 5,000 people from our upazila to be present in Dhaka,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Railway (West Zone) has taken special measures to facilitate travel. Railway officials said no special train will run from Rajshahi, but additional coaches will be added to several regular Rajshahi–Dhaka trains.

Four pairs of special trains will operate on Thursday from other locations in the West Zone: Panchagarh–Dhaka, Chatmohar–Dhaka, Jessore–Dhaka, and Khulna–Dhaka. Approval has been sought for a Natore–Dhaka special train, but permission has not yet been granted.

Due to the operation of special trains and the addition of extra coaches, three short-distance commuter trains will remain suspended on Thursday These include the Dhalarchar Express on the Pabna–Rajshahi route and the Rohanpur Commuter on the Rohanpur–Rajshahi route.

Bangladesh Railway West Zone General Manager Farid Ahmed said the special trains will depart at different times on Wednesday and reach Dhaka on Thursday morning.

“Each train has a passenger capacity of 2,508. Additional coaches will also be added to several regular Rajshahi–Dhaka trains,” he said.