Dr. Md. Shairul Mashreque :
Frequency of train accident is really alarming. Railway in Bangladesh may incur lose if train accident frequently occurs. Even then we continue to choose journey by train for safety. Compared to highway accident train accident resulting in massive casualties is few and far between. There has been an alarming rise in road traffic accidents in Bangladesh over the past few years and has become a national problem. Everyday several accidents occurred due to race in the highway have left rampant killing of enormous important lives. This is as it were a normal case. For this reason many travelers cannot enjoy journey by bus. AC buses are plying on the high way. Even they are facing accident. Reports are plenty about alleged indiscipline and inefficiency of highway police. Most drivers are assistants or drivers use mobile phone while driving or out of control for drinking wine. Now we strongly believe train journey is a safe one. Managing train tickets has become a tough job.
In recent years, we have heard about train accident in many places. Casualties are few. Only Brahmanbaria-Kosba accident took a heavy toll of life. At least 15 people were killed and 58 others injured when two trains collided in Brahmanbaria district in Eastern Bangladesh, police said. Three coaches were sent tumbling off the tracks at Mondolbhag station in the town of Kasba when a Dhaka-bound intercity train and a locomotive bound for Chattogram collided. At least 15 people have been killed. And another 58 were injured. Train services between the capital Dhaka and two other important cities – Sylhet and Chattogram – had been suspended.
Sirajganj accident was thought of as sabotage as it took place a few days after Brahmanbaria tragedy. Around 25 people were injured in the incident. Faulty track and signal are responsible for accident.
Train accident is well under control. Yet negligence of the concerned authority is a danger signal. Train engines become old and obsolete. All outdated engines should be removed. Lockmasters find it difficult to manage outdated engines. New and modern engines are in short supply. Only old ones are repaired. Operating old engines may cause derailment. Previously there used to be steam locomotives. Now a large number of diesel locomotives operate. Reports say, Progress Rail will deliver the locomotives to Bangladesh within 24-36 months. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is financing the order through a $US 360m loan, which was agreed in February 2018. In October BR signed a $US 239m contract with Hyundai Rotem for 70 diesel locomotives which will be used on the Dhaka – Chattogram line.
Attention should be given to the development of railway track. New locomotives may turn upside down if rail lines are not repaired.
What we need for modernization railway sector is massive financing allowing private sector for investment. We have meter gauge in Eastern Zone. But Northern Railway is run by broad gauge. Tract cannot allow quick train in alluvial plain.
(Dr. Md. Shairul Mashreque, Director, Museum, Chattogram University).
Frequency of train accident is really alarming. Railway in Bangladesh may incur lose if train accident frequently occurs. Even then we continue to choose journey by train for safety. Compared to highway accident train accident resulting in massive casualties is few and far between. There has been an alarming rise in road traffic accidents in Bangladesh over the past few years and has become a national problem. Everyday several accidents occurred due to race in the highway have left rampant killing of enormous important lives. This is as it were a normal case. For this reason many travelers cannot enjoy journey by bus. AC buses are plying on the high way. Even they are facing accident. Reports are plenty about alleged indiscipline and inefficiency of highway police. Most drivers are assistants or drivers use mobile phone while driving or out of control for drinking wine. Now we strongly believe train journey is a safe one. Managing train tickets has become a tough job.
In recent years, we have heard about train accident in many places. Casualties are few. Only Brahmanbaria-Kosba accident took a heavy toll of life. At least 15 people were killed and 58 others injured when two trains collided in Brahmanbaria district in Eastern Bangladesh, police said. Three coaches were sent tumbling off the tracks at Mondolbhag station in the town of Kasba when a Dhaka-bound intercity train and a locomotive bound for Chattogram collided. At least 15 people have been killed. And another 58 were injured. Train services between the capital Dhaka and two other important cities – Sylhet and Chattogram – had been suspended.
Sirajganj accident was thought of as sabotage as it took place a few days after Brahmanbaria tragedy. Around 25 people were injured in the incident. Faulty track and signal are responsible for accident.
Train accident is well under control. Yet negligence of the concerned authority is a danger signal. Train engines become old and obsolete. All outdated engines should be removed. Lockmasters find it difficult to manage outdated engines. New and modern engines are in short supply. Only old ones are repaired. Operating old engines may cause derailment. Previously there used to be steam locomotives. Now a large number of diesel locomotives operate. Reports say, Progress Rail will deliver the locomotives to Bangladesh within 24-36 months. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is financing the order through a $US 360m loan, which was agreed in February 2018. In October BR signed a $US 239m contract with Hyundai Rotem for 70 diesel locomotives which will be used on the Dhaka – Chattogram line.
Attention should be given to the development of railway track. New locomotives may turn upside down if rail lines are not repaired.
What we need for modernization railway sector is massive financing allowing private sector for investment. We have meter gauge in Eastern Zone. But Northern Railway is run by broad gauge. Tract cannot allow quick train in alluvial plain.
(Dr. Md. Shairul Mashreque, Director, Museum, Chattogram University).
