56 Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Rail Crossings Lack Gatekeepers

S K M Nur Hossain, from Patiya (Chattogram)

The Chattogram Cox’s Bazar rail line has opened a new door for train travel in South Chattogram. But it has also raised worries about safety. The Chattogram Dohazari Cox’s Bazar line is 103.57 kilometres long and has 72 level crossings. Of these, 56 have no gateman and no barrier.

Railway data show that trains have killed 20 people in the last five years since the line opened. Another five people have died in accidents at level crossings. Five vehicles have also been damaged at level crossings. The most recent big accident happened earlier this month near Chakrashala Railway Station in Patiya.

The accident happened at Parigram, near Komol Munshirhat. The Cox’s Bazar Express hit a mini covered van there, and one coach of the train came off the track. Four or five passengers were hurt. Train service between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar stopped for a while. A rescue train removed the coach after about three hours, and services returned to normal.

Before that, two accidents happened in Patiya. One was near the train crossing at Amir Bhandar, and the other was near Patiya Railway Station. This month, two people died in an accident at a level crossing in Satkania. A railway official said the crossing at that spot had no railway approval and had no gateman.

Local people say local roads in many parts of Patiya meet the rail line directly. These spots do not have enough warning signals or control systems. Vehicles and pedestrians must risk their lives to cross the line. The level crossing near Kharna Railway Station in Patiya has been risky for a long time.

Iskandaria Madrasa stands beside Kharna Railway Station. Young students leave school at 12:30 pm, and the Tourism Express reaches Kharna Station at the same time every day. Two or three times, young students narrowly escaped death while crossing. Primary school students also face train risks on the Kharna Circular Road at noon.

A taxi was recently hit at the unguarded level crossing near Kharna Railway Station, and it was crushed. No one was hurt or killed because the passengers got out fast. Local people fear a big accident at any moment because this spot has no gateman. About 25 people have died at unguarded level crossings between Patiya and Lohagara, and vehicles have been damaged.

Railway Eastern Zone Transport Officer Mr. Abu Zafar Bhuiyan spoke about the problem. He said the railway has told the ministry that gatemen are needed at all crossings that have none. He said the shortage of gatemen will end once the ministry gives the funds.