BR must boost emergency response mechanism

Rail services across the country were severely disrupted after the derailment of the Panchagarh Express near Dhaka Railway Station in the early hours of Friday. The incident occurred when the Panchagarh Express derailed shortly after departing from Kamalapur Railway Station, causing six compartments to veer off the track. Fortunately, the train was moving slowly at the time of the accident and averted a major disaster. The derailment, however, led to a complete breakdown of the signalling system, disrupting rail communications between Dhaka and the rest of the country. It took no less than eight hours to restore rail operation, but the ripple effect of schedule disruptions continued till Saturday, with several trains departing five to seven hours behind schedule and passengers suffering immeasurably. The exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined. But the question is, the derailment occurred at a critical junction of the rail network in Dhaka, not in a remote area. So why did it take so long to restore normal train operations?
The incident has once again exposed the severe shortcomings of Bangladesh Railway (BR)'s emergency rescue mechanisms in case of train mishaps. Despite substantial investments in the sector, service quality, safety, and accident response remain far from adequate. Moreover, the prolonged schedule disruption caused by the derailment and passengers' sufferings at the stations highlight the lack of efficient emergency response mechanisms. To mitigate the suffering caused by schedule disruptions, the railway authorities should promptly communicate the revised schedules to passengers through various channels, including SMS, email, and social media. This would allow passengers to plan their journeys accordingly, reducing unnecessary waiting times at stations. Unfortunately, the railway authorities often fail to provide timely information, leaving passengers stranded and frustrated. Even the information displayed at stations is often inaccurate. Why does the railway authority seem so indifferent to the suffering of passengers? As one of the primary modes of transport for millions, the railway ought to be operated more professionally and efficiently.
The centuries-old Bangladesh Railway is still considered one of the safest and highly environment-friendly means of mass transportation. But in recent years, frequent derailments and accidents have become a cause for concern. The deteriorating condition of rail tracks and sleepers is the main causes of train accidents. Besides, according to a report, over half of the country's 3,000 km rail network is in a perilous state due to poor infrastructure, insufficient track ballast, and erosion of soil beneath the track. According to Bangladesh Railway's own findings, deteriorating tracks and dilapidated bridges cause approximately 63 per cent of all rail accidents. This critical infrastructure suffers from a lack of proper maintenance, putting the lives of passengers constantly at risk. The findings also reveal widespread rusting of iron sleepers, broken and rotten wooden sleepers, missing joint clips, and loosened nuts and bolts, with many connection points completely detached. Such chronic failures in proper maintenance not only raise the risk of accidents but also cause significant delays in train operations.
A general apathy is noticeable despite some ambitious initiatives taken to expand and improve the rail service. If corruption and mismanagement are not addressed, and infrastructure - including tracks, bridges, engines, and coaches - is not properly maintained and modernised, the cycle of railway accidents and passenger suffering will continue. A lot, therefore, will depend on the professional integrity of the people responsible for managing the BR affairs. It is time the authorities concerned took a serious look into the matter and put Bangladesh Railway back on track.