Kazi Zahidul Hasan :
Level crossing, popularly called as rail crossings, across the country have become virtual death traps for people due to violation of traffic rules, lack of awareness and shortage of manpower.
At least 173 people were run over by trains during the last one year, according to a data of Bangladesh Railway (BR).
On Thursday, four persons, including two women, were killed and five others received serious injuries when a train rammed into a makeshift market on its rail tracks near Karwan Bazar Kitchen Market in the capital.
Officials said, at present there are 2,541 level crossings across the country and of the total 1,413 are authorised and 1,128 unauthorised. Out of the total crossings, 80 per cent are running without any gateman resulting in frequent accidents there, they added.
Level crossings on the rail lines between Dhaka-Tongi and Dhaka-Narayanganj are most vulnerable among other level crossings in the country as pedestrians and drivers show lethargy in following the traffic rules, Tofazzel Hossain, Director General (DG) of BR told The New Nation on Friday.
He added: Rampant violation of traffic rules by the vehicles and pedestrians in the rail crossings is mainly responsible for such accidents. Even, drivers and pedestrians are crossing the rail tracks hurriedly by lifting the barrier leading to accidents.
Moreover, illegal slums and illegal markets beside the rail tracks across the city are also contributing to frequent accidents.
BR sources said over 30 illegal makeshift markets have been set up on or near rail tracks by influential political leaders and criminal gangs in various parts of the capital that are contributing to frequent train accidents and loss of lives.
Careless movement of traders and shoppers in these markets and negligence of authorities concerned are giving rise to the train accidents, which result in deaths and injuries, they said.
When asked, the BR DG said, they have already started a country-wide eviction drive against the unauthorised establishments and slums beside the rail tracks in line with the decision of an inter-ministerial meeting held at the rail ministry.
Level crossing, popularly called as rail crossings, across the country have become virtual death traps for people due to violation of traffic rules, lack of awareness and shortage of manpower.
At least 173 people were run over by trains during the last one year, according to a data of Bangladesh Railway (BR).
On Thursday, four persons, including two women, were killed and five others received serious injuries when a train rammed into a makeshift market on its rail tracks near Karwan Bazar Kitchen Market in the capital.
Officials said, at present there are 2,541 level crossings across the country and of the total 1,413 are authorised and 1,128 unauthorised. Out of the total crossings, 80 per cent are running without any gateman resulting in frequent accidents there, they added.
Level crossings on the rail lines between Dhaka-Tongi and Dhaka-Narayanganj are most vulnerable among other level crossings in the country as pedestrians and drivers show lethargy in following the traffic rules, Tofazzel Hossain, Director General (DG) of BR told The New Nation on Friday.
He added: Rampant violation of traffic rules by the vehicles and pedestrians in the rail crossings is mainly responsible for such accidents. Even, drivers and pedestrians are crossing the rail tracks hurriedly by lifting the barrier leading to accidents.
Moreover, illegal slums and illegal markets beside the rail tracks across the city are also contributing to frequent accidents.
BR sources said over 30 illegal makeshift markets have been set up on or near rail tracks by influential political leaders and criminal gangs in various parts of the capital that are contributing to frequent train accidents and loss of lives.
Careless movement of traders and shoppers in these markets and negligence of authorities concerned are giving rise to the train accidents, which result in deaths and injuries, they said.
When asked, the BR DG said, they have already started a country-wide eviction drive against the unauthorised establishments and slums beside the rail tracks in line with the decision of an inter-ministerial meeting held at the rail ministry.
