Another Eid, another train tragedy

It is unconscionable that every Eid, when we are supposed to be revelling in the chance to be with loved ones, tragedy strikes because of one transport-related accident or another. This Eid, too, saw the tragic deaths of 12 people—including seven men, three women, and two children—when a Chattogram-Dhaka mail train collided with a bus heading to Lakshmipur. A number of passengers were also seriously injured. The accident occurred early Sunday at an unmanned level crossing in Cumilla Sadar Dakshin upazila. Reportedly, the train dragged the bus for nearly a kilometre before stopping.

As has happened many times before, the reason for this horrific crash was negligence: there was no gateman present at the crossing at the time of the accident. How many times have we had to confront such news of precious lives being lost because of human error? Two gatemen who were on duty but actually absent at the time have been suspended, and three investigative committees have been formed. We have seen such reactive steps post-crashes many times before, and so cannot help but wonder: will it make any difference this time?

A major part of the problem, besides poor or absent gatekeeping and oversight, is the existence of illegal rail crossings that have been mushrooming despite the rising number of deaths from crashes. Over the four years between 2018 and 2022, according to a report by The Daily Star, various government agencies built at least 140 level crossings without taking permission from Bangladesh Railway. These agencies include the LGED, union parishads, municipalities, etc. In 2022, there were around 1,225 unauthorised crossings, making up roughly 40 percent of the total. Moreover, according to BR data cited in the report, more than 50 percent of the legal level crossings did not have designated gatekeepers.

The extent of the risks thus caused can be understood from an estimate by the Road Safety Foundation that said that at least 219 people were killed in 116 accidents in the first seven months of 2022 alone. That same year, in July, 11 people were killed when a train hit a microbus at a level crossing in Mirsharai upazila in Chattogram. It prompted the railways ministry to issue a circular to all government agencies, asking them not to build any level crossings without BR permission. Following this Eid’s accident, the state minister for railways also said that the government plans to modernise level crossings and introduce automated signalling systems to improve safety.

But such assurances will only have meaning if they are backed by proper action, which rarely follows. Besides taking action against errant gatekeepers and officials in charge, whose negligence has contributed to so many deaths, we urge the government to identify all unattended crossings and appoint gatekeepers immediately. Unauthorised crossings must also be dealt with promptly, and only then should the government initiate other measures on a priority basis. We must remember that each day a crossing remains unattended is a day when tragedy may occur. The frequency of accidents, and the number of people killed or maimed, make human error at such crucial junctions unacceptable.