Market on platform, rail tracks

An illegal vegetable wholesale market on railway platform and close to the rail tracks at Barakhata railway station in Hatibandha upazila has been posing risk to the pedestrians and trouble in train movement for nearly two decades.

The authorities concerned have turned a blind eye to the matter despite repeated appeals by the locals and train passengers.

A number of locals, requesting anonymity, alleged that some local influential people collect illegal toll from the vegetable traders, permitting the trade there during the winter season, for the last couple of years.

Lalmonirhat railway sources said four pairs of trains usually cross the point ever day.

“As there is no space for vegetable wholesalers at Barakhata kitchen market, we have been selling our produce at the makeshift market every winter season,” said Hamidul Islam, 44, a local trader.

Although the trading has been continuing for the last 20 years, fortunately no accident occurred at the place till now, Hamidul said.

“The wholesale market starts at 9:00am and ends around 11:00am every day when no train is scheduled to cross Barakhata station,” another trader Zahir Ali, 56, said.

Shamsul Islam, 55, one of the train passengers, said they cannot even move freely at the station platform due to the market.

Abu Bakkar, in-charge of Barakhata station, said he had already informed the higher authorities of the matter and is waiting for their response.

Mostafizur Rahman, divisional traffic superintendent in Lalmonirhat (under west zone railway), said they will take necessary steps to remove the illegal market from the spot within a week.