HC rules on ensuring security for railways in eastern zone

The High Court (HC) on Monday directed the director general of Bangladesh Railway to submit a report on October 24 regarding steps taken by the respondents in order to secure Boromchal Bridge under Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar district after an accident took place on June 23 this year.

A High Court bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Foyez Uddin Ahmed.

The court also issued a rule in this regard.

In the ruling, the court asked the respondents to explain within four weeks as to why inaction of the respondents to ensure security and safety of the trains and railways in the eastern zone of Bangladesh Railway by carrying out immediate repairs to railway lines, rail bridges and culverts and to ensure service of 'Keymen', 'Waymen', 'Gangmen', and 'Permanent Way Inspector (PWI)' etc. should not be declared without lawful authority.

The court also wanted to know in the rule as to why the directives should not be passed upon the respondents to ensure security and safety of the trains and railways in the eastern zone of Bangladesh Railway by doing immediate repairs to railway lines, rail bridges and culverts and to ensure service of 'Keymen', 'Waymen', 'Gangmen', 'Permanent Way Inspector (PWI)' etc. should not be declared without lawful authority.

It asked the railways secretary, director general of Bangladesh Railway, general manager of Bangladesh Railway eastern zone and chief engineer of Bangladesh Railway to comply with the rule.

The writ petition was filed with news report on mismanagement of railways across the country after the accident took place on June 23 in Boromchal area in Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar district.

In the petition, the lawyer said, "The train accident at Kulaura has once again exposed the weakness of this mode of mass transport in the country. It should not be considered as an isolated incident."

"The policymakers and experts may claim that they are serious about improving the Bangladesh Railway, but ground reality doesn't substantiate their claim. They have, however, admitted that the railway has been subjected to neglect for long and therefore is a candidate for priority treatment in terms of investment and modernisation. Unfortunately, what is preached is not practised," the petition reads.