<i>Railway platform being used as paddy husking yard !</i>
A labourer drying maize on Barokhata railway platfarm. A few influential people are using the platform for husking and drying cereals illegally, barely three months into its renovation.Photo: STAR
Barely three months into its renovation, Barokhata railway station platform has turned into a chatal, paddy/maize husking and drying yard, thanks to some influential people of Barokhata village under Hatibandha upazila. Railway officials concerned are yet to take any measure to stop such activities that have been creating trouble for the passengers. Used by over 100 passengers everyday, the 250 feet long and 40 feet wide station platform is not maintained by any staff. Only one train stops at the station at 9:00pm and 6:00am. Yakub Ali, a resident of the village, said “Anybody will be confused whether it is a railway platform or paddy husking ground, after a quick glance at the platform at noon”. Platform is generally used by train passengers and locals for walking or waiting. But Barokhata station platform is under control of three to four local influential people, he added. Mirza Ali Ahmed, another local, said that the platform is now being used like a personal property. If the authorities concerned did not take measures immediately, the grabbers will wipe out all the symbols of railway platform. A local said on condition of anonymity that Ashraf Hossain, Badol Miah, Rahmot Ali and two others of the village are using the platform as chatal. Locals do not dare to protest because of their political link. The alleged persons however said that the platform is being used by many other locals. Contacted, Barokhata railway station master 'on additional duty' Abu Bakkor Siddique said he is the station master of Votmari railway station but he has to carry out duty at Barokhata station too. “I visit Barokhata station at night and at dawn, as only one train runs on Lalmonirhat- Burimari route and it stops twice a day." “I do not know anything about the misuse of the platform. Nobody made any allegation in this regard”, he added. Mostafizar Rahman, Lalmonirhat West Zone Railway Divisional Traffic Superintendent (DTS), however, said the platform remained uncared for due to lack of any staff at the station. “Within a short time another train will start running on the route. Then Barokhata station will have staff to look after it”, he added.
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