Railway safety has emerged as a serious concern in Rajbari, where more than 100 level crossings reportedly lack gatekeepers or adequate protective measures. The situation has raised fears of further accidents along a railway network used by regular passenger and commuter services.
According to information from relevant sources, 68 people died in Rajbari between January and August this year in various railway-related incidents, including people being struck or run over by trains. Local residents have called for immediate action to reduce the risks, particularly at crossings without barriers or trained personnel.
There are 154 level crossings across the Rajbari railway area, stretching from Goalanda Ghat to Machpara in Pangsha and from Bhanga Junction in Faridpur to Gobra in Gopalganj. Of these, 67 are authorised crossings, while 87 were created without railway approval, mainly to provide local access across the tracks.
Railway officials said only around 51 to 54 of the 154 crossings have barriers and gatekeepers. This means that more than 100 crossing points remain without those basic forms of protection.
The absence of controlled access creates particular danger when pedestrians or vehicles attempt to cross as trains approach. Railway officials said some unauthorised crossings have been closed repeatedly, but local residents have reopened them. Legal action has also been taken over the issue.
Rajbari’s railway network serves several important destinations, including Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Gopalganj, Faridpur, Goalanda Ghat and Poradaha. The Sundarban, Benapole, Madhumati and Tungipara Express trains, along with commuter services, use routes in the area. The regular movement of trains means that uncontrolled crossing points can become dangerous at any time.
Kalikapur bridge adds another layer of risk
The Kalikapur railway bridge in Kalukhali upazila has also been identified by local residents as a particularly hazardous location. The danger is especially acute for passengers who travel on train roofs, despite the practice being prohibited.
Local residents claim that several people have died at the site this year.
Railway officials said the bridge, built during the British period, is approximately 14 feet 6 inches high. Plans are in place to raise its height in the future. Until then, however, anyone travelling on the roof of a train faces a serious hazard when the train passes beneath the structure.
Local businessman Mohammad Farabi said the bridge is notably low on the route from Rajbari towards Pangsha. According to him, the limited clearance between the roof of a train and the bridge structure creates a potentially fatal situation for anyone sitting or standing on top of a carriage.
He said railway authorities should ensure that no passenger is travelling on the roof before a train leaves a station.
Local resident Saikat Shatadal also described the Kalikapur bridge as dangerous. He called for stronger safety measures as train services increase, including the deployment of personnel at unprotected level crossings and the permanent closure of unauthorised crossings.
Public carelessness is also a factor
Railway Assistant Loco Master S M Sajjad Hossain said train routes and schedules generally remain consistent unless there is a specific reason for a change. Many local residents therefore have an understanding of when trains normally pass through particular areas.
Despite this, people sometimes attempt to cross the railway line without paying adequate attention. In some cases, pedestrians or vehicle users try to cross immediately before an approaching train.
When such incidents occur, drivers may have little opportunity to avoid a collision, even when they react immediately. The size and momentum of a train make it difficult to stop suddenly, meaning that an apparently small misjudgement can have fatal consequences.
Rajbari Railway Station Master Tanmoy Kumar Dutta said travelling on the roof of a train is a punishable offence. Security personnel at stations take measures to prevent passengers from climbing onto train roofs. Announcements are also made before trains arrive to warn passengers against the practice.
Rajbari Railway Assistant Executive Engineer Md Habibur Rahman said the railway area contains 154 level crossings, more than 100 of which do not have gatekeepers or barriers. He confirmed that 87 crossings were created without authorisation.
According to him, railway authorities regularly attempt to close the unauthorised crossings, but some are reopened by local residents. Legal action has been taken in connection with the matter.
Habibur Rahman also said level crossings are not the sole cause of railway accidents in the area. People are injured or killed at other points along the tracks because of carelessness and a lack of awareness. He added that plans concerning the safety of the Kalikapur railway bridge are also being considered.
Local residents say a sustained reduction in railway deaths will require both infrastructure and behavioural changes. Unauthorised crossings need to be closed, while authorised crossings that remain unprotected should be equipped with barriers and staffed by gatekeepers.
At the same time, closing informal routes without considering local access needs could encourage residents to reopen them. Providing safe alternatives where necessary, alongside stronger monitoring and public awareness campaigns, could help address the problem more effectively.
Preventing passengers from travelling on train roofs is another key safety challenge, particularly at locations such as the Kalikapur bridge. The deaths recorded during the first eight months of the year have brought renewed attention to the need for safer railway crossings, stronger enforcement and greater public awareness across Rajbari.
