Khulna, Jashore: Over half of level crossings unprotected
Over half of the level crossings at different regions of Khulna and Jashore don't have a gateman. Some of these crossings are registered under the ministry, while others remain unregistered.
These unregistered crossings are where the highest risk of accidents lies.
Locals allege that authorities haven't taken any initiatives to resolve this issue.
Surprisingly, even legal or registered gates are not manned at times. Some gates do have a guard, but they are negligent in their duties, alleged locals. As a result, accidents a regular occurrence there.
According to Khulna-Jashore railway sources, there are a total of 171 level crossings in the region. Of these, 73 are registered and 88 unregistered.
All unregistered level crossings are unprotected, while 10 legally registered ones remain unmanned. Summing up, 98 level crossings in the region are unprotected.
Visiting Khulna's Mujgunni, Daulatpur, Phulbarigate, Phultala and Jashore, and Jashore's Nowapara and Bashundia, it was seen that at least 10 gates were unmanned. Locals were crossing the rail line carelessly. Many were walking on the line while some were sitting on it.
One unregistered gate spotted between Khulna city's Mujjunni and Khalishpur areas had a warning on a signboard set up by a local organisation. Locals go through this gate to use the Khulna-Jashore highway.
"This is the easiest way to reach the highway even though there's risk involved," said Sohel Biswas while crossing the gate.
"There are two alternative roads to reach the highway, but you have to spend over 15 to 20 minutes," said Sohel.
The railways should appoint a gateman there to avoid accidents, he added.
Shopkeeper Salim Mia, close to Noyabati unregistered gate said at least one accident happens there every month.
There is another illegal rail gate just in front of BL College, which is used by over 30,000 students and teachers every day.
Tanushri Bagchi, a student of the college, said, "Authorities can build an overpass or appoint a gateman here."
Visiting the registered rail gate in Mujgunni Dighirpar area at 5:00pm on Saturday, the gateman's room was found locked.
After some time, the gateman arrived and told this correspondent that he is only on duty when someone calls. "Generally every gateman does this," he said seeking anonymity.
The same picture can be seen at Daulatpur Bazar rail gate.
"There's a gateman there but he's not always at the spot," said Palash Das, a resident of Boyra area.
Advocate Kudrat-E-Khuda, general secretary of Sujan in Khulna, said the railway sector is the country's most corrupt sector. The authorities do not monitor risky rail gates regularly.
"Gatemen of Khulna and Jashore are not performing their duties properly. Railway authorities cannot avoid the liability for accidents,'' he added.
Kazi Waliul Haque, assistant executive engineer of Khulna-Jashore region, said, "We alert gatemen from the station at the time of departure and entry of a train. We have already informed the high-ups for appointing more gatemen and ensuring proper monitoring."
Comments