With the Dhaka-Sylhet highway in a dilapidated state, rail transport has become the primary lifeline for commuters in Sylhet. However, train tickets on the Dhaka and Chattogram routes have virtually turned into a "golden deer" due to aggressive black-marketing, systemic mismanagement, and the alleged involvement of Railway Security Force (RNB) personnel.
Every morning at 8:00 AM, when tickets for 10 days in advance are released online, every single seat vanishes within four to five minutes. Commuters opening the official railway app encounter 'sold out' statuses before selecting seats. Yet, tickets remain readily available through station brokers or private Facebook and WhatsApp groups at exorbitant prices.
RNB Personnel Arrested and Judicial Order for PBI Probe
During a drive on September 8, the district administration caught two RNB members red-handed from the Sylhet Railway Station for illegal ticket scalping. Taking judicial cognizance of the automated ticket depletion, Senior Judicial Magistrate of Sylhet, Abdullah Al Noman, filed a suo moto case on September 22. The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has been directed to probe the digital trail, server access, and organized syndicates enabling the fraud.
'Ticket Holder Must Match Passenger' Drive
Following an inspection on October 9, the Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet enforced a mandatory identification cross-check rule—'Ticket Owner Is The Commuter'—effective from October 12. On the inaugural day of enforcement, a mobile court sentenced an individual to one month of non-rigorous imprisonment in Fenchuganj for ticket forgery. Despite these measures, the racket persists; on Saturday (October 24, 2026) morning, night-train tickets to Dhaka and Chattogram were completely booked out within 5 to 7 minutes of server release.
Bribery, Unlawful Passengers, and In-Transit Harassment
Beyond ticket scalping, train passengers face severe distress on board. Traveling Ticket Examiners (TTEs) and security staff allegedly accept bribes to let 25 to 30 unauthorized passengers crowd into each compartment without tickets, creating a suffocating environment for legitimate ticket holders. Furthermore, unchecked extortion by transgender groups and unauthorized hawkers at various stops poses ongoing security threats to travelers.
Addressing the allegations, Station Manager of Sylhet Railway Station, Nurul Islam, stated, "Tickets are issued online and through counters under strict procedures. We are actively monitoring platforms to prevent ticketless passengers from entering the trains."
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