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Editorial

Unprotected level crossing and tracks

421 killed in railway accidents in 2019


Bangladeshpost
Published : 06 Jan 2020 07:42 PM | Updated : 07 Sep 2020 02:24 AM

It is shocking to learn that at least 421 people, including 89 women and 46 children, were killed and 366 others injured in 393 railway accidents in 2019. The fatal accidents took place between January 1 and December 31 in several rail tracks across the country.  And the absurd reason for such an increasing number of rail-related fatalities is that two-thirds of Bangladesh Railway’s 1,412 level crossings have no designated gatemen and there is no siren system at most of the level crossing in Bangladesh.

Experts opine that the absence of vigilance at level crossings has increased the number of rail fatalities, most of which occur at level crossing. Such a large number of unprotected level crossings have appeared as a big threat for the country’s entire rail sector. Therefore, the rail authorities should install special siren systems at level crossings without gatemen. Also there is a need for evicting structures and makeshifts beside level crossings so that approaching trains can be spotted from a safe distance.


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Authorities blamed illegal construction of rail gates and inadequate manpower for the rise in rail-related accidents. It is disheartening that at least nine government bodies were involved in constructing illegal level crossings, with Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) having constructed the highest of 452 gates. Moreover, lack of awareness among the pedestrians crossing the rail tracks is adding fuel to the fire in this regard.

However, it is good to note that rail authorities have already taken the initiative to recruit gatemen and once recruited, they will be posted at level crossings where traffic movement is relatively high. Considering all above, necessary steps should be taken to put those government officials involved in constructing illegal level crossings behind the bars. Besides installing siren and employing gatemen at every level crossing across the country, creating awareness has become very much pertinent in order to reduce the chances of such accidents. In order to do that media and educational institutions should play important roles. But it is also to mention that all such endeavours will bear no meaning and the number of such incidents will not come down if the ones using the tracks are not aware.