Railway: Safest way across the world, panic in Bangladesh

The railway is considered to be the safest travel way all over the world. But, in Bangladesh crushing under the train, and hitting from the rear have become significant concerns. Experts think this happens as the rail crossings are not secured enough.

82 percent of rail crossing in the country is kept insecure as there are no gatemen or any barrier to obstruct vehicles or passersby while a train approaches. Only 18 percent of crossings have both guardsmen and barriers. But, accidents also occur due to the negligence of guardsmen and drivers.  

Railway sources say, 85 percent of the accidents at railways occur at rail crossings. However, the railway authority does not account for the crushing deaths. Head-on collisions, derailment, hitting one train by another, and hitting other vehicles at rail crossings are considered accidents by the railway department.

Additional Director General (Infrastructure)  Kamrul Ahsan says, the authority is mulling installing an automated alarm system in the areas where there are no guardsmen or bamboo barriers.

However, he thinks awareness should be built among all to avoid accidents. If any accident occurs due to negligence of any guardsman, he must be tried. But, very often drivers of different vehicles recklessly try to cross the line when the train approaches.  

According to railway data, the authority spent Tk 196 crore since 2015 to improve rail crossing security. As many as 702 rail crossings have been developed under railway east and west zones. Some 1 thousand 532 guardsmen have been recruited. Necessary barriers are installed. However, the crossings are yet to be secured.

There are specific laws on killing on roads or highways. But, there is no penalty system for death at the rail crossings. Capital punishment is suspension if any guardsman is found guilty.