Unprotected rail crossing turns into death trap

Sr. Staff Reporter, Kishoreganj :

Unprotected and unauthorised level crossing continue to cause fatal accidents and loss of lives across the country.
According to Railway officials, and experts, the shortage of gatekeepers, negligence of gatekeepers, unplanned level crossings,illegal movement of pedestrians on rail tracks, and negligence of drivers are some of the main reason responsible for such accidents
In Kishoreganj, Kishoreganj-Bhairab Bazar and Kishoreganj- Gouripur railway lines. There are illegal railway crossings at various places on this railway line. In the Mohinand area of Kishoreganj Sadar an illegal railway crossing without a gateman can be seen on the ground, with children and the elderly crossing this railway line that runs through the village. Many are sitting on the lines and chatting.
Several railway lines are home to schools, markets and other institutions. Thousands of people and vehicles cross these risky railway crossings without gatemen. However, fast trains run on those railway lines.
At least 126 crossings on the 75-kilometer railway line on the Atharbari-Kishoreganj-Bhairab route. Of these, 42 are unauthorized. Accidents often occur due to risky movement. Despite this going on for years, no action is being taken.
The railway authorities are only doing their duty by hanging warning signs. Locals say that due to the absence of gatemen, minor accidents often occur. This increases the risk of major accidents.
Railway authorities says that illegal crossings cannot be closed because local influential people are involved in it.
Senior Deputy Assistant Engineer (Roads) of Bangladesh Railway, Kishoreganj, Md.Anisuzzaman said, “We are trying our best. A letter has been sent to the higher authorities to close the illegal rail crossings.”
In the past year, 92 people have died after being run over by trains on the Bhairab-Kishoreganj-Athbari route. Most of them were while crossing the railway crossing.