Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :
Due to political violence in the ongoing strike-blockade, the speed of trains in the Pakshi section of Western Railway has slowed down. The speed of some trains running especially at night has been reduced by half. Morning and night trains are delayed. Late morning trains also leave late due to late night trains. It has been decided to run at 40 to 50 km per hour. Passengers have to wait for hours at the station as the train runs much later than the scheduled time.
Incidents of removing pandal clips, fish plates and nut bolts have also taken place on various railway lines along with setting fire to trains. Due to these reasons two trains of less important and early morning departure of Pakshi section were stopped on December 22. There are also plans to stop more trains of lesser importance. Directorate of Railways has announced to strengthen the safety system of the railway line by starting the patrol engines on the railways which are vulnerable to possible vandalism. All the units of the law and order forces of the country have started their activities to provide security to the railways. Police, Ansar, RAB, Railway Police and RNB members are providing security to the railway. In addition to this, the Ministry of Home Affairs has deployed 2,700 Ansar members in railway stations, railway lines and trains across the country from December 22.
Railways are well known for safe travel. Train accidents have increased in recent times due to vandalism. Railway authorities have taken initiatives to guard railway lines, fix railway keepers and nut-bolts, fill removed soil on railway lines and reduce the speed of trains for the prevention of vandalism and accidents and the safety of passengers. Because of this, trains are running much later than the scheduled time in several areas in the western region. Higher authorities are said to have directed trains to reduce speed in many areas. Basically such a decision has been taken to avoid accidents.
According to the Pakshi Divisional Transport Office of Western Railway, several trains have been leaving late since December 15. Assistant Engineer Abu Zafar said that he is working non-stop with his colleagues to keep the railway running. Apart from this, he is inspecting daily with trolley for railway line supervision and giving direction to his colleagues.
Pakshi Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Shah Sufi Noor Mohammad said, the Uttara Express running from Rajshahi to Parbatipur will be closed and the Ishwardi-Rahanpur route will be shortened and will run only between Rajshahi-Rahanpur. The two trains leave between 3.30am and 4.00am, which poses a security risk. There are not many passengers in the train in the morning. During this time, there is a chance of sabotage by burning.
Asim Kumar Talukder, General Manager of Western Railway, said that in order to operate trains safely in the ongoing adverse political situation, regular track patrolling has been ordered in all sections, night (11 pm to 6 am) trains at controlled speed (40 to 50 km per hour) have been ordered.
Inter-city trains are allowed to run on railway lines after the patrol engine has passed a prescribed distance at critical times on railway lines prone to vandalism.
Incidentally: miscreants set fire to the Uttara Express train at Jaipurhat railway station at midnight on December 16 of this month. A few seats of a compartment were burnt. Also, on the night of November 27, there was an incident of setting fire to the train compartment standing at the washfit of Ishwardi Junction. 11 seats were burnt.
