39 killed in train accidents last year: railways minister
A total of 129 railway-related accidents killed 39 people and injured 155 across the country last year, Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan said yesterday.
Of them, 10 happened on level crossings, leaving 18 people dead; 21 others were killed in 119 accidents caused by signal violations and derailments, he added.
The minister was briefing reporters at Rail Bhaban on the occasion of the first anniversary of the incumbent government.
However, the figure presented by the minister is significantly lower than that of non-government organisations.
According to Nirapad Sarak Chai, at least 198 people were killed and 347 injured in 162 railway-related accidents last year.
Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF) said at least 421 people were killed and 366 injured in 393 railway-related accidents in 2019.
Three major train accidents occurred in 2019, the minister said.
On June 23, four people were killed and 64 injured in a rail accident in Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar. He said two railway staffers were suspended over the accident and further action against them is pending.
At least 17 people were killed and 54 injured in Brahmanbaria on November 12. The driver, his assistant and guard of Turna Express were suspended and further division action is pending, he added.
The third accident occurred in Ullapara upazila of Sirajganj, which damaged huge railway properties. Punitive action has been taken against three railway staff in this regard, the minister said.
“We are working to remove negligence of railway staff so that such accident does not happen,” he said, adding that they will also introduce modern technology to prevent accidents.
DEVELOPMENT WORKS
The minister said they introduced four intercity trains and extended route of one train last year, and are going to extend routes of two others shortly.
Works for construction of 39-kilometres of rail track, 37 rail bridges, five station buildings and 26 level crossing gates were completed last year.
Besides, 23km rail tracks and 40 bridges were reconstructed in 2019, he said, adding that a total of 1,144 staff were recruited in 2019.
The minister said 259.57 acres of railway land was recovered from illegal occupation last year.
Another 3,213 acres -- 2,731 acres in west zone and 482 in east zone -- remain under illegal occupation, according to railway’s estate department.
He, however, said they are working to formulate a land use policy and form a board to monitor railway land.
As per the railway master-plan (2016-2045), Bangladesh Railway will implement 230 projects involving Tk 5,53,662 crore.
This fiscal year, the government body is implementing 36 projects involving Tk 12,130 crore and once completed, it would add 1,162.97km rail track, 140 locomotives, 700 carriages, 1,000 wagons, and 125 luggage vans to railways.
Asked about the poor implementation rate of Annul Development Programme, Sujan said physical works of some major project could not be continued during rainy session.
“However, we will not only use the allocated money but also seek further funds at the end of this fiscal year,” he said.
The minister said he was working to make railway “corruption free”, and has already taken steps against ticket scalping and stopped reserving of tickets by railway staff.
Bangladesh Railway Director General Md Shamsuzzaman was also present at the briefing.
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