Petition seeks HC directive to identify risky rail lines, bridges
A Supreme Court lawyer yesterday filed a writ petition with the High Court, seeking its directive on the government to conduct a survey to identify risky and damaged rail lines and rail bridges across the country.
The petition was submitted by Advocate Amit Das Gupta. He prayed to the HC to order the government to take necessary steps based on the report. He also challenged the inaction of the government in this regard.
Citing from the petition, Advocate Gupta said as per Railway Act 1890, the railway is responsible for preserving, reforming and repairing rail lines, rail bridges and other railway structures, but the authorities have not taken adequate steps in this regard.
As a result, rail accidents are recurring and people are dying, he said. In the petition, he annexed the media reports on the accident that took place in Moulvibazar recently.
The lawyer said the HC may hold a hearing on the petition next Sunday.
On June 23, at least four people were killed and more than 100 injured as a passenger train derailed on a bridge in Moulvibazar.
One of the carriages of Upaban Express, heading to Dhaka from Sylhet, fell into a canal while two others fell close to the canal’s banks. Several other carriages were also derailed. The incident happened at Boromchal in Kulaura upazila.
The next day, Rail Secretary Mofazzal Hossain mentioned two possible causes -- faulty lines or misaligned wheels -- for the accident.
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