A post displays a warning message for vehicles and pedestrians at a level crossing on BDR Hat -- Mollahat road, only a quarter kilometre from Lalmonirhat Railway Station. Photo: STAR

At least 33 of 50 level crossings in five upazilas in Lalmonirhat district have remained without gates nor gate men for a long time, keeping them exposed to accident.

The gates had been set up and the gate men were recruited at the level crossings during the British rule in the sub-continent, sources at Lalmonirhat Railway Office said.

The gate men used to open and close the level crossings for the pedestrians and vehicles whenever a train passed the way. After partition of the sub-continent into India and Pakistan, the gate men appointed there left at different times.

Now 33 level crossings in the district that are without gates or gate men remain vulnerable to accidents for vehicles and pedestrians.

Quite a few accidents occurred in the recent time as a large number of vehicles and pedestrians go through the level crossings everyday.

Drivers of vehicles, especially heavy ones, are vulnerable to accidents as they often fail to hear the sound of a coming train due to the sound of their own vehicles.

Local people have urged setting up of gates and appointing gate men at the level crossings immediately to avert further accidents.

When contacted, Lalmonirhat Railway Divisional Manager DRM Kazi Rafiqul Islam said, “Due to fund constrain Bangladesh Railway cannot recruit gatemen. Besides, 13 of the 33 level crossings were made by the Roads and Highway Department after building their roads across the railway line. So all the expenditure for the 13 level crossings should be born by the RHD authorities, but they did not give any positive respond despite sending several letters from the railway department.”