Train accident now commonplace

Intercity train Rangpur Express catches fire after derailment near Ullapara Railway Station in Sirajganj on Thursday, leaving at least eight passengers injured. (Inset), firefighters are trying to extinguish the fire in the locomotive of the train. — sun photo

Train accident takes place frequently in different parts of the country due to various reasons, causing casualties.
Mismanagement, negligence of duty, faulty rail lines and bridges, unprotected level crossings and wrong signal are the major reasons behind the train accidents.
Two train accidents have taken place in Brahmanbaria and Sirajganj within the last two days, leaving at least 16 people dead and scores injured. The latest train accident occurred in Sirajganj on Thursday in the run-up to a fatal train collision in Brahmanbaria early Tuesday. Three bogies of Rangpur Express derailed and caught fire in Ullapara of Sirajganj, leaving at least eight passengers injured.
The derailment caused a halt to Dhaka’s rail communications with northern and south western districts.
The negligence of Turna Nishita’s driver led to the train collision with Udayan Express in Kasba of Brahmanbari, the railway authorities found in a primary investigation.
The investigation found that the Turna Nishita’s driver ‘ignored’ the signal, causing the fatal accident that left at least 16 people dead, railway sources said.
“We believe that the accident occurred due to the negligence of Turna Nishita’s driver.”
The two trains were crossing in Mondobagh, said Mia Jahan. Udayan Express was entering the loop line from the main line after receiving the signal. “After nine bogeys of the train crossed over into the loop line, Turna Nishita hit the 10th bogey. We have initially learnt that the incident took place because of the loco-master’s disregard for the signal,” he said.
After the collision, several bogeys of Turna crashed over the top of Udayan on impact. Two other bogeys were also severely crumpled.
The deadly accident snapped Dhaka’s rail links with Chattogram and Sylhet.
The major incidents draw the media’s attention, but many minor accidents occurring throughout the year go unnoticed, railway sources said.
According to the railway data, at least 202 accidents took place in the 2018-19 fiscal year, leaving 26 dead and 136 injured.
The number of mishaps that occurred during the last fiscal year was more than that of the two previous years.
A total of 89 accidents took place in FY2017-18 and 80 in FY2016-17.
According to the available data, most train accidents in the country were caused by derailment.
BR sources said that most of the fatal accidents took place at about 2,000 unauthorised level-crossings across the country. Such level-crossings have no gatemen and vehicles as well as people cross the tracks freely, resulting in fatal accidents.
The sources also say that the number of accidents at unauthorised level crossings has increased alarmingly in recent years, but the authorities are not taking any steps.
Bangladesh Railway officials said that 80 percent of level crossings have illegally been set up across the country.
Kuril Biswa road railway and Khilgaon level crossings in the capital are example of such unauthorised level crossings where hundreds of people pass through the level crossings regularly, risking their lives.
There is 11-km railway track from Kamalapur to the airport. The railway authorities have identified the Moghbazar, Kawran Bazar, Banani and Kuril railway crossings as the most dangerous.
These unauthorized level crossings remain still guard less and gateless in the capital and elsewhere in the country, causing frequent accidents as well as a loss of lives.
“Besides, quite often we see people talking or listening to music by mobile phones while crossing roads.
BR statistics say there are 2,541 railway crossings across the country. Of them, 780 have been approved by the authorities concerned and the remaining 1,761 made illegally.
Only 242 approved level crossings are under guard, but 2,299 others are either unmanned or without barriers, it said.
Without taking permission from the railway authorities, different government and private organisations have made illegal railroads, sources said.
When contracted, BR Assistant Director General (operation) Miah Jahan said they have taken many initiatives, including repair and development works for all rail gates and rail crossings, to stop such accident.
“As part of the move, we have also decided to set up some footbridges at different strategic points of the railway lines across the country,” he added.
The development work will be finished within the next fiscal year, he also said.