Bangladesh railway took extra cautionary measures for train movement in flood affected and other disaster prone areas during the current monsoon, Railways Minister M Muzibul Haque said on Sunday.
“We have undertaken urgent measures for maintaining smooth operation of Bangladesh Railway (BR) evading damages and accidents which could be caused by natural disasters,” a railway ministry statement quoted him as saying at a meeting at the Railway Bhaban in the city.
He said that the railways ministry issued a series of directives for the state-run service in line with its General and Subsidiary Rules of Bangladesh Railway.
An official familiar with the meeting said the directives were issued as the train services could be exposed to dangers of weakening and displacement of railways tracks, bridges due to floods or landslides during the rainy season.
Under the directives, he said, steps would be taken to protect railways stations, platforms and other related infrastructures from such calamities.
The official said railway authorities by now repaired damaged or dilapidated railway lines, bridges, culverts, points and crossing, signal and interlocking systems as part of the disaster prevention campaign.
The meeting today derestricted officials concerned to strengthen night signal inspection, engine foot plate inspection, night inspection and cursory inspection to ensure safe train movements.
The minister told the railway officials to build awareness and prepare their field level employees for safe train operation during heavy rainfall, storms, cyclones, landslides and flash floods.
On emergency, railway could seek assistance from Bangladesh Army, Water Development Board, Power Development Board, Disaster Management Ministry, local administration, law enforcement agencies and other departments/agencies.
For the treatment of flood victims, Bangladesh Railway Medical Team would be kept ready.
Railway Ministry’s acting secretary M Mofazzel Hossain, Railway Director General Amjad Hossain and senior officials were present at the meeting.
