Most level crossings in West Zone unmanned
This level crossing at Noapara in Abhoynagar upazila of Jessore district is one of the many such crossings that remain open even during movement of trains due to lack manpower.Photo: STAR
Most of the level crossings under the West Zone of Bangladesh Railway remain vulnerable to accidents as 143 of the 233 crossings, including 63 unauthorised ones, are without any gatemen. Besides, of the 90 gatemen working at the same number of level crossings, only 29 are permanent staff of Bangladesh Railway while 61 others are daily wage basis temporarily employees. The temporary gatemen, who get a meagre Tk 80 daily for the risky job, hardly find any motivation to do their work properly and punctually. Often they remain absent from their duty at respective rail crossings to control traffic movement, said passengers and locals. Collision between moving trains and road transports often leads to casualties and damage of vehicles as in absence of gatemen, drivers of buses and other vehicles often hastily pass level crossings even when they see fast approaching train at a near distance. Five people were killed and 32 others injured when a running passenger bus of AK Travels collided with Khulna-bound train Chitra Express at Rajarhat rail crossing in Jessore Sadar upazila on last February 19. There was no gateman at the crossing to signal arrival of the moving train. Passengers alleged that driver of the bus was drowsy when the accident took place. On July 17 in 2009, five people were killed and 16 others injured in a collision between a moving train and a microbus at Mandartala rail crossing in Jessore Sadar upazila. There was no gateman when the train bound for Ishwardi from Khulna was passing by the level crossing. On October 6 in 2007, one person was killed and two others were injured when their fast moving motorcycle dashed against a Jessore-bound moving train at Phulbarigate rail crossing under Khanjahan Ali police station of Khulna city. No gateman was found there at the time. Jorhagate, Baikali, Goalkhali, Mohsin School intersection, Rallygate, Phulbari Gate and Shiromoni rail crossings always remain open, giving scope for movement of road transports over rail lines even in front of fast approaching trains, local people said. Sources of Khulna Railway said there are 29 level crossings from Khulna rail station to Darshana of Chuadanga district. These level crossings are under direct control of the Traffic Division of Bangladesh Railway. But there are no gatemen in 14 of these crossings. Besides, of the 108 level crossings under direct supervision of the Engineering Division of Bangladesh Railway, 68 crossings do not have any gateman, they said. "There are 170 authorised level crossings under my jurisdiction from Khulna to Bheramara and Poradaha to Goalando. Besides, there are 63 unauthorised level crossings, raising the total number of level crossings to 233," said Divisional Engineer of Bangladesh Railway (West Zone) Md Tanvirul Islam. Admitting acute shortage of manpower, he said, "There are permanent gatemen in only 29 level crossings while temporarily employed people work as gatemen in 61 other crossings. There are no gateman to monitor and control traffic movement in 143 other crossings." Expressing resentment over the low pay for the risky job, many temporary gatemen said they get punishment for any accident while drivers of passenger and goods carrying vehicles who pass level crossings in defiance of rules always go unpunished. Sometimes unruly drivers, eager to pass level crossings in haste, attack gatemen when they put barriers at level crossings, they said.
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