Chunks of plaster-flakes are falling from the roof while old walls denote the sorry state of the buildings.

For the railway employees who were allocated these quarters, the illegal occupants now have become a source of anxiety and annoyance. They are renting out the quarters to low-income people for a small amount of cash as they find it too hazardous to live there themselves.

The authorities say they cannot repair the buildings for lack of funds. The number of quarters is very low against officials and employees of Khulna Railway.

Although there were 450 staff quarters, some 100 of the buildings were torn down during the construction of the new railway station. The remaining staff quarters are located in the old railway station, junction and Doulotpur railway station areas.

The PT-1 building opposite to the office of Bangladesh Railway Sramik League has been repaired recently. There are four quarters in total in PT-1. All other quarters except these four are in a derelict condition.

Chand Ahmed, Khulna’s inspector of works (IOW), had written to Pakshi’s divisional engineer of Bangladesh Railway about repairing these 350 staff quarters in September last.

Several leaders of railway workers association admitted that the railway employees have rented out the quarters after getting allocation.

They argued that renting out was the only option since the buildings were very risky but said knocking down the old buildings had caused a shortage of living space for railway employees.

The leaders say they feel that the construction of a multi-storey staff quarters will be better than repairing the old buildings.

“The number of staff quarters is not enough, especially after nearly 100 out of 450 have been demolished. The ones that are left are really old and each of them needs repair urgently,” the IWO added.