United News of Bangladesh

Nationwide train movement halted since early Tuesday after Bangladesh Railway's running staff launched an indefinite strike to demand special post-retirement benefits. The strike began at midnight Monday after talks between railway authorities and the union of train drivers and support staff collapsed. As a result, trains scheduled to depart after midnight from originating stations were cancelled, bringing train operations across the country to a standstill. Bent rail tracks: ‘Banalata Express’ avoids accident The strike stems from the staff's demands for several unresolved issues, including the inclusion of running allowances in their basic pay for pension calculations. Running staff, such as train drivers, guards, and ticket checkers, are participating in this protest. Saeedur Rahman, general secretary of the Dhaka Division Committee of the Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers Association, said, “We have not received any decisions from railway authorities. We remain steadfast in our decision to halt train operations.” Passengers have faced significant inconvenience as trains scheduled to depart after midnight failed to leave their stations. The running staff confirmed that trains scheduled to leave their originating stations after midnight were halted. As per regulations, a running staff member is entitled to 12 hours of rest upon returning to their headquarters or 8 hours if stationed outside. If required to work during rest hours for the benefit of railway operations, additional compensation known as mileage benefits is provided. However, due to objections from the Ministry of Finance, the running staff has reportedly been deprived of this benefit, which is one of the key points of contention. Karwan Bazar Railway: The go-to place for illegal drugs in Dhaka Mohammad Anwar Hossain, the station master of Kamalapur Railway Station, told UNB that all trains scheduled to depart until 12:00 am on Monday eventually left their origin station, despite delays. However, trains scheduled to depart after midnight did not operate due to the work stoppage. The last scheduled train on Monday departed from Kamalapur Station at 1:00 am. Passengers with tickets for the cancelled trains, both online and offline, are being refunded.

An eye-catching railway station built in the shape of an oyster stands just three kilometers away from Cox’s Bazar sea beach, which is expected to become also a recreation destination. The impressive station was also unveiled Saturday (November 11, 2023) as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened the much-awaited 102-kilometre Chattogram-Cox's Bazar dual-gauge single railway line aiming to link the country’s tourist hub with the port city through the railway connectivity as well. The railway station was constructed on a 29-acre land in Hazipara area of Jhilong Union nearby Cox’s Bazar town. The modern facilities are available in the 182,000-sq feet railway station where a six-storey building and a large oyster fountain were constructed. Test run of train on Dohazari-Cox's Bazar route likely on October 15 Some 90,000 passengers are expected to use the iconic station a day. In the station, there are three large spaces for car parking. The modern facilities which are available in the station include ticket counters and reception centres, shopping mall, restaurants, luggage lockers, child care center, mosque, escalators, ATM booths, residential hotel, post office and tourist information booth. The luggage locker in the tourist town is an attractive feature as anyone can visit the sea beach or other tourist spots for a day, leaving goods in the station. In another first, PM Hasina opens Ctg-Cox's Bazar railway line Besides, the station is friendly to elderly and disabled persons. It was constructed at a cost of Tk 215 crore. Alongside the station, the 102-km rail Chattogram (Dohazari)-Cox’s Bazar rail route has eight other stations at Satkania, Lohagara, Chokoria, Dulahazra, Eidgao, Ramu, Ukhiya, and Gumdum. These stations have fully computer-based interlocking signal systems and a fully digitalised telecommunications network. Cox's Bazar wears festive look ahead of PM’s visit on Saturday In the future, the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar railway line will be connected with the under-construction Matarbari deep sea port. On April 3 in 2011, Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone for the construction of Dohazari-Cox's Bazar railway, a priority project of her government.

A 20-year-old youth was crushed to death by a speeding train in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram while crossing the tracks with earphones on, police said on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Saiful, a resident of the upazila. Chattogram-bound Chattala Express train hit the youth near Kumira railway station on Wednesday night, dragging him around five kilometres down the railway tracks, said Azizul Haque, assistant station master of Kumira railway station. Read: 28-yr-old killed by train in Ctg When the train stopped at the station, passengers found the body hanging from the engine hook of the train, he added. The body was later handed over to Chattogram Government Railway Police (GRP) station, said the station master. On Tuesday, a man Omar Faruk, 28, died after being hit by a speeding train in the Salimpur area of Chattogram's Sitakunda upazila on Tuesday night. He was playing guitar while sitting on the railway track near his house.

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) has detained five men from the city's Kamalapur Railway Station for alleged black marketing of train tickets ahead of Eid. Acting on a tip-off that a group was selling tickets of different trains at inflated prices taking advantage of the Eid rush, a Rab-3 team conducted a drive at the railway station at 8.45 pm Monday and detained the men. The detainees were identified as Md Liton Mia, 37, Md Shah Lam, 34, Md Imran, 20, Md Abu Taher, 26, and Md Zahidur Rahman Shakib, 40, Rab-3 said in a release Tuesday. Also read: Two RNB members held for selling tickets in black market Four train tickets and Tk 6,927 in cash were seized from the detainees, said Rab-3. During questioning, the accused admitted to the crime. Legal action will be taken against the detainees, said the release. Also read: Measures to be taken if complaints found over Eid online ticketing: Minister

Azimnagar railway station in Natore has been closed for passenger traffic due to shortage of manpower, officials have said. Ashok Chakraborty, station master of Natore railway station, said on Saturday that the station was closed on Thursday. READ: 13 rail stations lie dormant in Cumilla "The station did have a station master and pointsmen. The station lines have now been directly connected to Abdulpur and Ishwardi stations. Trains on this route will be delayed due to signal problems," he said. READ: ACC team visits Kamalapur rail station after complaint on app However, the scheduled trains will be able to pick up and drop off passengers at the station under the supervision of the officers in charge of the trains.

The railways offering a cheaper and safer alternative is the preferred mode of transportation for the people. But public transportation has remained suspended since a lockdown was enforced earlier this month. Kamalapur Railway Station, which usually teems with life, has fallen silent. With the extended lockdown, passenger train services will remain suspended until April 28, as part of the government’s measures to curb the transmission of coronavirus. Also read: Lockdown: Pvt cars rise on Dhaka roads In the last 24 hours until Thursday morning, the country recorded 98 deaths and 4,014 new infections pushing the total number of cases to 736,074, said the Directorate General of Health Services. Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 98 more deaths, 4014 new infections An UNB photographer captured photos of an empty and eerie Kamalapur Railway Station wearing a dejected look.

Thirteen railway stations in Cumilla have been lying inactive for the last 12 years for the lack of manpower, causing sufferings to the commuters and forcing people to use alternative – and often costlier – modes of transportation.