Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday urged the government to take steps to make the coiuntry's railways safe as the level crossings have become death traps.

“As if the railway crossings of the country have become death traps. Although travel through railways is considered safe across the world, it is becoming a matter of worry in Bangladesh,” he said.

In a statement, the Jatiya Party chief also bemoaned that the railways in Bangladesh have not been safe even after 50 years of its independence.

Also read: Establishing people’s voting rights crucial for democracy: GM Quader

Referring to media reports, he said about 82 per cent of the railway crossings in the country are unprotected. “All these unprotected level crossings have no guards and barriers.”

Besides, the Jatiya Party chairman said there is no end to negligence even though there are guards and barriers at 18 railway crossings.

“So, accidents happen every day and many people die every year. There is no one to see the negligence and mismanagement of the railways,” he observed.

Also read: EC praising merits of EVMs with ‘ulterior motive’: GM Quader

GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said though an investigation committee is formed after every accident, the people of the country cannot know the probe report. “No one can even know what measures the government is taking to prevent accidents.”

He said such deaths on the railways cannot be accepted. “Railway accidents in modern times expose how far behind we are. It has become necessary to take prroper measures now to secure the railways of the country.”

Earlier on Friday, 11 people were killed and six others injured when a speeding express train rammed into the microbus carrying students on an excursion at a level crossing in Mirsharai upazila on Friday.