Passengers suffer as train operations suspended all over Bangladesh

Passengers are suffering as running staffers, including locomasters, of Bangladesh Railway suspended all train operations around the country early today without any prior announcement -- demanding increased allowances and retirement benefits.

Md Rasel Ahmed, a Dhaka resident, arrived at Kamalapur Railway Station at 8 am to catch a train to Dinajpur at 10 am. He found out about the train operation suspension after arriving at the station.

He told The Daily Star that he has some urgent land-related work in his hometown in Dinajpur. All of his relatives, some of whom are from abroad, are expected to gather later today to settle an issue. If he does not arrive in Dinajpur today, that work will be incomplete, and he will be three months behind schedule.

Jorina Begum arrived at the station in Dhaka at 5:30 am as her train to Khulna was scheduled to depart at 6 am. She joined the line for refund at 7am. While talking to The Daily Star at 10:15am, she was still unable to reach the counter and was behind 5-6 people in line.

Another commuter said that he traveled to Dhaka from Khulna a few days ago for his mother-in-law's medical tests. They boarded their train around 5 am, only to discover that it would not run.

He said he will take the bus now, but he is still nervous because the bus stations will be crowded.

Md Sayedur Rahman, assistant director (operations) of Bangladesh Railway, said that every day, 65 trains arrive in Dhaka and 65 depart. All trains have been halted. The train operations were suspended at 4:30am today.

At Chattogram Railway Station, Ramiz Alam, a Chittagong University student, was waiting for a train to Dhaka this morning.

"I was unaware of the suspension. I've been waiting at the station for three hours to catch a train to Dhaka. However, no train is leaving," he told The Daily Star.

"There had been no prior announcements. As a result, passengers are suffering. This is completely unacceptable," he added.

Besides Ramiz, hundreds of passengers are suffering as a result of the sudden strike.

Taufiq Alam, who was waiting to go to Netrakona from Chattogram, said, "It is impossible for us to travel by bus because bus fares are too high."

According to Station Manager Ratan Kumar Chowdhury, no train left Chattogram today.

"Every day, 11-12 thousand passengers pass through Chattogram Railway Station," he said.

Meanwhile at Khulna Railway Station, hundreds of passengers were seen waiting since early morning.

Katab Ali (75), along with his wife and granddaughter from Chuadanga's Alamdanga upazila, travelled to Khulna to see a doctor. He said that taking the bus is difficult for him. He is unsure when or if the trains will run today.

Anisha Akhter, his granddaughter, told our Khulna correspondent that they have no choice but to sit and wait.

Manik Chandra Sarkar, the station master, said he couldn't say when the train would depart.