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Unprotected rail crossings in Rangpur become death traps


Published : 26 Jan 2022 09:41 PM

Four passengers of an auto-rickshaw were killed when a train derailed in Nilphamari on Wednesday. All of them are female workers of Uttara EPZ. The accident took place at Daroyani Rail Crossing of Nilphamari Sadar around 8:30 am on Wednesday. Vehicles are moving at risk as the railway crossings of Rangpur division have become unprotected. Out of 525 rail crossings in eight districts of the division, 280 are unprotected. There is no gate in these crossings, there is no gateman. As a result, the death march is getting longer and longer.

According to eyewitnesses, six female workers of Uttara EPZ were going to work in an auto-rickshaw around 8:30 am on Wednesday. The auto-rickshaw collided with the Chilahat-bound intercity Rupsha Express train while crossing the unprotected Darwani rail crossing. The auto-rickshaw with the passengers twisted and fell about 50 yards away from the railway. Shefali Begum, 35, wife of Ashraf Ali of Dhanipara in Sonaray Union of Nilphamari Sadar died on the spot. The injured were rushed to hospital by locals. The deceased were identified as Chhaya Banu, 26, wife of Belal Hossain, Ruma Akhter, 25, wife of Mosharraf Hossain Badir and Minara Akhter, 22, wife of Arman Hossain. The driver of the auto-rickshaw and other passengers were injured and are undergoing treatment.

According to the investigation, 280 out of 525 level crossings in eight districts under Lalmonirhat division of the western part of the railway are unprotected. In many unprotected rail crossings, markings such as‘ no gateman at this gate, beware’ have been posted to evade liability  stating that pedestrians and drivers of all types of vehicles will cross at their own risk and will be obliged to pay for any accident. In addition to the manpower crisis, accidents are constantly happening at these crossings mainly due to the negligence of the drivers.

The British-era railway junction station at Kaunia in Rangpur is one of the major means of rail communication in the northern districts. People from eight districts of Rangpur division including the two northern districts of Kurigram and Lalmonirhat travel to different parts of the country besides the capital Dhaka on this popular railway. Twelve intercity trains run 24 times a day through the traditional Kaunia Railway Junction Station. However, under this junction of safe rail travel, 10 rail crossings on the road have now become a death trap. These are Thana Rail Crossing, Takipal Hat Railgate, Gerdad Balapara Rail Crossing, Khopati Tapsidanga Rail Crossing, Panjarbhanga Rail Crossing, Shahidbagh Rail Crossing, Buddhir Bazar Dam Road Rail Crossing, Mahesha Rail Crossing, Ball Rail Crossing and Ball Railgate. Although various vehicles, people and cattle pass through the roads of railway crossings day and night, there is no guard or gateman for the railway authorities. That is why accidents and deaths are constantly happening. Although there were many discussions and decisions in the monthly meeting of Kaunia Upazila Parishad, nothing was done. The authorities of the concerned department have been informed to take effective action on the decision of the meeting, but no good result has been found yet. Kaunia Railway Junction Station Master Abdur Rashid said that a total of 26 people were performing their duties on contract basis against the required 42 manpower. The higher authorities have been informed about this.

Several rail crossings in Rangpur city have also become unprotected. Abdur Razzak, a businessman from Ambari Rail Crossing area, said pedestrians are always in a state of panic as the rail crossing is unprotected. Despite repeated calls from the locals to the railway department, no action was taken.

 Shafiqul Islam, a farmer from Patbari area, said, "Since there is no responsible person here, we sometimes shout that the train is coming." However, sources in the Lalmonirhat Divisional Railway Office said that gates are being constructed at many crossings in Rangpur Division. All the gates will be built in phases and there will be gatemen for these crossings. Then the rate of accidents will come down.