CHATTOGRAM, Apr 09: Bangladesh Railway (BR) Eastern Zone is going to halt traffic at the illegal level crossings. It has already stopped the vehicular movements at 37 level crossings by setting up iron poles on both sides of the railway track.
Sources said that there are a total of 1,248 level crossings in the areas of BR Eastern Zone. Only 434 level crossings of those are legal while rest 814 level crossings are illegal. The illegal level crossings are the prime cause of accidents. The smooth rail communication is also hampered due to the illegal crossings.
Out of the 434 legal level crossings of BR Eastern Zone, 273 are in Dhaka division while 161 are in Chattogram division. Among the 814 illegal level crossings, a total of 431 are in Dhaka division while 383 others are in Chattogram division.
Sources also said the 814 level crossings are not controlled by the Bangladesh Railway. These are controlled by Local Government and Rural Development's local offices, City Corporations, Pourshobhas, at even Union Councils. Besides, local club and some non government organisations also set up some level crossings on the rail lines which are illegal. Accidents take place quite often at these level crossings.
On July 29 last year, 14 people were killed as a tourist microbus collided with a train at an illegal level crossing in Khiyachra area of Mirsarai in Chattogram.
To avoid the risk of accidents, the BR Eastern Zone Authority has recently stopped the traffic on the road by installing iron pole bars at 2 feet distance on both sides of the crossing.
Abdul Hanif, the Divisional Engineer of BR Eastern Zone said, "Accidents often occur at unauthorised level crossings without gatemen. In addition to the loss of life and property, the railway engine was also damaged. Therefore, the Ministry of Railways decided to stop traffic on the unauthorised level crossing to avoid accidents."
He also said, "To implement the decision of the ministry, iron poles were set up at a distance of 2 feet on both sides of the railway line to stop the traffic in the level crossings in the areas."
"The restriction in vehicular movement is ongoing not only in Chattogram's Sitakunda but also at all the unauthorised level crossings," he added.
Abidur Rahman, Divisional Manager of BR Eastern Zone said BR does not have the manpower to provide gatemen at all level crossings.
"On top of that, maintenance at each level crossing is very expensive. Therefore, unimportant and unauthorised rail crossings are being closed to avoid accidents," he added.
"In future, BR plans to build roads parallel to the railway line and connect it with approved level crossings," he further said.
Regarding approval of level crossing for industrial establishments, Abidur Rahman said that if an industrial establishment applies for the approval of level crossing by depositing a certain amount of fee, the ministry considers it and approves it. If the approval is received, the gate will be constructed availing the gatemen.
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