50km rundown tracks make train travel risky

A 50km stretch of rail tracks from Teesta in Lalmonirhat Sadar to Ramna Station in Chilmari of Kurigram is in a deplorable condition, due to lack of maintenance and monitoring by the authorities concerned.

Despite railway officials being aware of the problem, a new Kurigram-bound inter-city train service from Dhaka is set to be inaugurated on October 16.

Kabil Uddin, station master of Kurigram Railway Station, said at present a single train is running in Kurigram.

“It is travelling to and from Kurigram twice a day on two routes,” he added.

Due to the poor condition of tracks, passengers have to face immense sufferings as the train is always running late.

There is also risk of accidents as the tracks are in a bad shape.

During a recent visit, the news agency found that trains are running at a much slower speed as rail line slippers, stones and soil were missing at different points.

Besides, nuts and bolts -- connecting slippers and rail tracks -- were not found at many places.

As a result, travelling to Chilmari’s Ramna from Kurigram -- a 30km stretch -- takes almost two hours.

Back in July, rail links remained snapped for some time as the track near Chilmari was damaged due to flood, informed locals.

Now trains are running on the route amid risks, said passengers.

According to railway sources, it will take around Tk 10 crore to repair rail sleepers, procure ballast (stones) and fix the 20km route from Teesta to Kurigram.

Locals, however, said additional 30km rail track has to be repaired for ensuring smooth and safe journey from Kurigram to Chilmari.

Contacted, Shafiqur Rahman, divisional railway manager [western zone], said, “We have informed the authorities concerned about the condition of the tracks. We have sent an estimation of Tk 10 crore for the repair work. If it is approved then the work on the 20km tracks from Teesta to Kurigram will start soon.”

He also expected massive changes in the service on this route within the next two years.