Five stations shut on Sylhet-Akhaura rail line
Five stations along the Sylhet-Akhaura railway line have remained closed for a long time, causing immense hardship to passengers, particularly local traders and students.
The closed stations are Longla, Manu, Tilagaon, Chhakapan and Bhatera.
Meanwhile, railway assets worth hundreds of crores of taka are reportedly being lost as various components are stolen and infrastructure remains without proper maintenance.
The Akhaura-Sylhet railway line has remained neglected and inadequately protected for years. Train services on the route are frequently disrupted by accidents caused by ageing tracks and locomotives.
The closure of several stations and discontinuation of four local train services have further increased the suffering of ordinary passengers and students.
Md Ruman Ahmed, Station Master of Kulaura Junction, said a shortage of manpower and locomotives was responsible for the closure of the stations and suspension of local train services.
There was a time when Longla, Manu, Tilagaon, Chhakapan and Bhatera stations were bustling with activity and thriving commercial operations. Now, an eerie silence prevails there. Four stations Bhatera, Chhakapan, Tilagaon and Manu remain closed in Moulvibazar district alone.
Local people are reportedly living in station buildings and staff quarters while using government-supplied electricity. Despite movements demanding renovation of the Akhaura-Sylhet railway line, reopening of the closed stations, introduction of two new trains and resumption of suspended local train services.
no significant progress has been made.
Digital signalling equipment worth crores of taka has reportedly been stolen. Due to the closure of the stations, railway land valued at thousands of crores of taka has allegedly been encroached upon.
Locals have also alleged that some unscrupulous railway officials are involved in the theft of signalling equipment and are turning a blind eye to encroachment.
Although Longla station has been made operational with a station master, it is of little use to the public because no local train services are available there. Shahjibazar station in Habiganj has also remained closed for a long time.
The closure of the stations has also facilitated encroachment on railway land in their surrounding areas. In the Tilagaon station area alone, land worth hundreds of crores of taka has reportedly been occupied.
Shawkatul Islam Shoku, lawmaker for the Kulaura constituency, said he would discuss the reopening of the closed stations and local train services with the relevant authorities and take steps to ensure their swift resumption in the public interest.
Business establishments and residential structures have also reportedly been built by occupying the buildings and premises of the closed stations. As a result of prolonged neglect, government infrastructure worth crores of taka is deteriorating.
