18 remain open all the time

A Lalmonirhat-bound train passes through the unmanned level crossing in Chelopara Haribashor area of Bogra town. Photo: Star

Eighteen of a total 66 level crossings on the 70-kilometre track in the district from Santahar to Sonatola stations under the Santahar-Lalmonirhat rail route are without any gatemen or arrangement for checking movement of vehicles and pedestrians although 18 trains ply the route daily.
The railway authorities arranged safety measures including gatemen and cross bars at 48 crossings while the 18 others remain virtually open all the time, even during the passage of trains.
Three of the risky level crossings are between Santahar and Adamdighi, four between Talora and Kahaloo, two between Kahaloo and Bogra, five between Bogra and Gabtoli, three between Gabtoli and Shukanpukur, and one between Shukanpukur and Sayeed Ahmed College station.

A bicyclist crosses a similar level crossing in Puran Bogra area of the town. Eighteen out of 66 level crossings have no gatemen in the district. Photo: Star

The crossings at Chelopara Horibashor, Azizul Haque College gate and the one near the 24-MW power house in Bogra municipality area are the most risky ones as a large number vehicles and pedestrians including thousands of school and college going students daily pass through the crossings.
Sources at Bogra railway station said there are 12 railway stations in Bogra district, namely, Santahar, Adamdighi, Altafnagar, Talora, Panchpir, Kahaloo, Bogra, Gabtoli, Sukhanpukur, Sayeed Ahmed College, Bhalerpara and Sonatola, Bogra and Santahar being the busiest ones.
Several people were killed after being hit by trains at different level crossings in the district during the last couple of years, locals said.
Saidur Rahman, officer in charge of Government Railway Police (GRP) station at Bonarpara, said all the incidents of casualties due to train accidents are not recorded as the relatives of the victims generally do not come to the GRP stations.
Authorities of the Western Zone of Bangladesh Railway (BR) could not deploy adequate gatemen at the level crossings due to manpower crisis, said the stationmaster of Bogra railway station.
“With vehicular movement on the rise, it has become all the more necessary to arrange gatemen and traffic control measures at the 18 level crossings. But the recruitment process for the purpose has remained stopped for a pretty long time although the higher authorities are frequently informed of the matter,” said Abdus Sobhan, senior sub-assistant engineer (Work) of BR at Bogra station.