In Feni, a concerning rise in accidents at rail tracks, especially at unauthorized level crossings, has led to eight fatalities and numerous injuries over the past four months. These incidents, often resulting from a combination of unauthorized crossings, gateman negligence, and the public's lack of awareness, underscore the urgent need for improved railway safety measures. Swapna Rani Debi, a 42-year-old land deed writer, tragically lost her life under a train while navigating the level crossing at Shahdadpur, highlighting the grave risks associated with these crossings. The Feni railway sector, stretching 27 kms from Sashardi to Muhuriganj, comprises 22 authorized and 12 unauthorized crossings, with a significant concentration of the latter at Muhuriganj. Riton Chakma, deputy assistant engineer of Railway’s East region, said, “Roads are being built over the level crossing and six unauthorized level-crossings are in Muhuriganj point alone while six others are in Sashardi, Dewanganj and Fazilpur points.” Barendra Express train narrowly escapes accident; rail link with Rajshahi suspended Despite efforts to close these unauthorized paths, locals continue to create new routes, often leading to disastrous outcomes. Feni Barahipur level crossing gateman, Jibon, noted that despite lowering gates upon receiving signals, impatience and reckless attempts to cross the tracks contribute significantly to the accidents. Feni Rail Station Master Md Harun attributes the proliferation of unauthorized crossings to residential developments along the railway, exacerbating the risk of trackside fatalities. In addition to Swapna Rani Debi, the past four months have seen the deaths of Farida Yeasmin, Md Rubel, Md Sharif, and Shahidul Islam on the Dhaka-Chattogram rail track in Feni, with three other victims remaining unidentified. The issue was starkly highlighted on October 11, 2022, when a train collided with a bus at the Fatehpur level crossing on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, resulting in four deaths. Rail communications on new Cox’s Bazar route snapped following collision The Railway Division reports that Feni hosts 34 level crossings, with 22 authorized and managed by 56 gatemen. Deputy Assistant Engineer Riton Chakma of the Railway East region has pledged phased initiatives to secure the 12 unauthorized crossings. Shahadat Hossain, general secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), identifies the main causes of the increased fatalities as unauthorized construction of crossings, lack of public and driver awareness, and gateman negligence. This alarming trend calls for immediate action to enhance safety and awareness at rail crossings.

On a sunny afternoon last month 11 students were happily returning from an excursion at a waterfall at Mirsarai in Chottogram. The students died as the hired microbus carrying them got through an unmanned level crossing and was hit by a speeding train.  The July 29 accident occurred only a couple of weeks after a train ran over a newlywed couple at a rail crossing in Sirajganj. There are definite reasons behind such horrible accidents, and the topmost of them is illegal and unmanned rail crossings. According to data from the Railways Ministry, among the 2,822 rail crossings of Bangladesh Railway (BR), 1,354 are illegal and 2,258 are without gatemen. Among the legal rail crossings, 904 are unmanned. Also read: Mirsarai tragedy: Probe body finds microbus driver, gateman responsible BR data shows that almost 90 per cent of rail accidents happen at rail crossings. In the last one decade, a total of 936 accidents happened at the country’s rail crossings, which took away a staggering 516 lives. Among thousands of rail crossings spread all over the country, only 564 have gatemen, majority of whom is hired temporarily under different projects. Among these gatemen, only 331 are holding permanent positions. At least six persons are needed to operate a single rail crossing properly, which the BR lacks. To fill up the gap, BR has to recruit around 16,932 people, which the government body is failing to do. Asked about rail accidents, Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan told UNB that rail accidents happen due to vehicles getting on rail tracks from roads. “Up to 90 per cent of rail accidents happen at rail crossings. A train doesn’t hit anything, rather other types of vehicles hit trains. A train moves along the rail tracks and it’s not the Railways Ministry’s responsibility if a vehicle gets in its way and causes accident,” Sujan said. The minister added that awareness has to grow among people to avert rail accidents. “Coordination is needed among all the related stakeholders and everyone has to do their duties accordingly. We hire people to operate the rail crossings but other agencies build roads over the rail tracks. These agencies have to take the responsibility for ensuring safety at rail crossings,” Sujan added. Sujan also said that rail accidents will decrease if illegal rail crossings are closed. “We couldn’t stop illegal rail crossings from operating after much effort. Local people commit a crime when they build such illegal rail crossings. To prevent the establishment of illegal rail crossings, we put up iron barricades on both sides and cut the connecting roads but to no avail. Some people always find a way to foil our attempts,” Sujan said. Asked about BR’s attempts to prevent rail accidents, Dhirendra Nath Majumder, director general (DG) of BR, said that they are taking up a project to avert accidents at rail crossings. “We’ll set up sensor-like special alarm systems in all the legal rail crossings. These systems will detect an approaching train from one kilometer away. We’re trying to install these systems as soon as possible,” said Dhirendra. Dhirendra added that they are also employing additional gatemen at all the legal rail crossings. “We’re trying our best to either close the illegal rail crossings or turn them into legal ones by building the gates properly and employ gatemen for them,” Dhirendra added. Mohammad Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, secretary general of Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, said that legal steps have to be taken against those who build illegal rail crossings even if they have political influences. Also read: Rail crossings become death traps: GM Quader “BR has to find out their shortcomings and take immediate steps to close the illegal rail crossings through taking the local administration by their side. Averting rail accidents will be easier if BR can coordinate with the local government bodies. BR needs to be modernized and the first thing to do in this regard is to take care of the deadly rail crossings scattered all over the country,” Mozammel said.

A 42-year-old man was crushed under the wheels of a train at Moghbazar wireless gate in the city on Thursday morning. The identity of the deceased could not be known immediately. Read:2 crushed under trains in city Police said the train hit the man while he was sitting on the rail track around 10am, leaving him injured. He was rushed to Community Hospital and then to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) where doctors declared him dead at noon, said Md Alamgir Hossain, sub-inspector (SI) of Hatirjheel Police Station. Read:HC official crushed to death under train in city The body was kept at DMCH morgue, said the SI. The Railway Police was informed of the accident, he added.

At least 15 people were killed in road and train accidents in Gopalganj, Chattogram, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Feni, Kurigram and Sylhet districts and the capital on Monday night and Tuesday.