A tragic accident at an unguarded railway crossing in Jhenaidah district claimed the life of a trolley driver on Sunday morning, raising renewed concerns about the safety of rural rail crossings in the region.
The deceased, identified as Alauddin, aged 35, was killed when a passenger train collided with the trolley he was driving while attempting to cross a railway line in the Borobamon Dah area of Kotchandpur municipality. The accident occurred at approximately 10:00 a.m., according to local residents and witnesses.
Alauddin was the son of Moslem Uddin and a resident of Ishwarba village in Kaliganj upazila of Jhenaidah district. He worked as a trolley driver transporting bricks and construction materials from local brick kilns to nearby villages and construction sites, a common occupation in the area.
Witnesses reported that earlier on Sunday morning, Alauddin had transported a load of bricks from a local brick kiln owned by Khokon Mia in Ishwarba village. He delivered the bricks to Malithapara in the Borobamon Dah locality using a locally used flatbed trolley vehicle commonly employed for short-distance goods transport in rural areas.
After completing the delivery, Alauddin was returning along the same route. As he attempted to cross the railway line at the Borobamon Dah level crossing, his trolley moved onto the tracks at the same moment that the Sundarban Express, an intercity passenger train travelling from Rajshahi to Khulna, approached the crossing.
The train struck the trolley with significant force. The impact completely crushed the vehicle and threw Alauddin several metres from the trolley. He sustained severe injuries during the collision.
Local residents quickly rushed to the scene and rescued him before transporting him to Kotchandpur Upazila Health Complex. However, doctors on duty in the emergency department declared him dead shortly after his arrival.
The incident has sparked concern among residents of the area, many of whom claim that the Borobamon Dah railway crossing has long been unsafe. According to locals, the crossing lacks basic safety infrastructure such as warning signals, protective barriers, or personnel to manage road traffic during train movements.
Residents say that people cross the railway line there frequently as it connects several villages and local marketplaces. Without proper signalling systems or crossing guards, drivers of small vehicles such as trolleys, motorcycles, and agricultural carriers often rely solely on sight and sound to determine whether a train is approaching.
Below is a summary of the incident:
| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Location | Borobamon Dah area, Kotchandpur, Jhenaidah |
| Date and Time | Sunday, 15 March, around 10:00 a.m. |
| Victim | Alauddin, 35 |
| Father’s Name | Moslem Uddin |
| Residence | Ishwarba village, Kaliganj upazila |
| Vehicle Involved | Brick transport trolley |
| Train Involved | Sundarban Express intercity train |
| Train Route | Rajshahi to Khulna |
| Outcome | Driver died from injuries |
Local community members have urged authorities to install proper safety measures at the crossing to prevent similar incidents in the future. They say the crossing has been the site of several near-misses and smaller accidents in recent years.
Officials have been informed of the situation, and residents have called on both railway authorities and local administration to take urgent action. Suggested measures include installing warning signals, building protective gates, and appointing personnel to oversee vehicle movement at the crossing.
Transport safety experts note that unguarded railway crossings remain a significant risk in many rural parts of the country. Improved infrastructure and stronger public awareness are considered essential to reducing such fatal accidents.
The death of Alauddin has left his family and community in mourning, while once again highlighting the urgent need for improved railway crossing safety in rural districts.