Townspeople suffer as rly overbridge broken

The railway foot overbridge has remained broken for long in Rajbari, causing immense suffering to townspeople.

According to a Rajbari Railway Station official, the cross bars of gate no1 remains down while a train passes. At least six passenger trains and two freight trains cross the rail gate every day. Besides, this line is used for changing engine of trains. Due to this, the passersby must use the overbridge.

On a recent visit to the railway gate, this correspondent found that the foot overbridge is only 100 metres from Rajbari Railway Station. Several concrete stairs on the southern part of the bridge are broken. 

Some fruit traders occupied the northern part of the bridge to sell their fruits. So, people cannot use the foot overbridge easily.

Shafik Hossain, 34, of Notunbazar area of the town, said “Right leg of my friend was fractured a few days ago when we were crossing the railway line using the overbridge while a freight train was passing. It was unknown to us that the stairs of the bridge are broken.”

Shariful Islam, a student of Rajbari Government College, said “We need to use the bridge every day to go to and come from our college. We are afraid as some stairs have remained broken for long.”

Due to this, they have to wait for long at the rail gate when trains, especially freight trains, cross it. It becomes very boring. 

Md Hasan Ali, senior sub-assistant engineer (bridge) of Rajbari Railway Office, said they have already informed the higher authorities about the matter. He hopes that the problem will be resolved soon.