Risky level crossing

A level crossing on the busy Dinajpur-Dhaka road is left wide open, posing a risk of accident since the Bangladesh Railway authorities removed both the barriers a year ago.

The level crossing is located at Biskini village under Birampur upazila in the district.

Thousands of light and heavy vehicles ply this highway every day, said Roads and Highways Department officials, adding that number of vehicles usually doubles or triples before the Eid due to rush of homebound people. 

Some railway men took away both the barriers of the gate a year ago at the instruction of high officials, said Shahidul Islam, one of the three gatemen at the level crossing in Birampur upazila.

Trains cross the level crossing at least eight times every day, said Shahidul.

During a visit to the spot on Wednesday, the correspondent found gateman Dukhu Mia standing in the middle of two tracks of the level crossing. He was closely monitoring the traffic on the highway and also trying to guess how far the train was.

“The train was scheduled to cross the level crossing at 2:45pm, but it is yet to arrive although it is 3:10pm,” said Shahidul, adding that he has to somehow manage the traffic on the highway during passing of the trains.

It is difficult to manage traffic at night, said the gateman.

Besides, the Bangladesh Railway telephone at the gate is out of order for the last two years. With that phone I could know the position of the train,” said Shahidul.

Locals alleged that they are yet to know why the authorities of Pakshey Railway took away the barriers of this busy highway a year ago.

“I do not know why they took away those barriers. It's a busy road and if anything goes wrong here, the BR officials will be responsible,” said Md Kuddus, a resident of the area.

Situation might become worse due to reckless driving while passing the busy spot during the rush of homebound people for celebrating Eid, said the locals.

Drivers of vehicles prefer to take the highway as it shorter route to go to Bogra, Gaibandha, Joypurhat and Dhaka as well. But the level crossing is left open without barriers, said Rafiqul Islam, a bus driver of Dinajpur-Dhaka route.

Divisional Transportation Officer in Pakshey of Western Railway Zone Md Shakhawat Zamil Mohosin said the barriers would be set up, but it would not be possible before Eid.