Railway communication has been facing serious disruption in Bangladesh Railway’s (BR) Lalmonirhat division of as a result of insufficient manpower and equipment.
At least 17 railway stations under the division have been closed off, while 45 more are heading in the same direction. Sources say only 19 stations including Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Bogra, Gaibandha, Kawnia, Parbotipur, Dinajpur are in satisfactory condition.
Lalmonirhat railway division, one of the two divisions in BR’s west zone, has 81 railway stations in total. The closed stations are Rouchbag, Mogholhat, Bharotkhali, Anandabazaar, Kanchipara, Shalmara, Hassanganj, Shaheed Borhan Nagor, Alauddin Nagor, Anyoda Nagor, Singardabri, Balabari, Ramona Bazaar, Tokarai Haat, Noyniburuz, Akhanagor and Awliaganj.
Railway officials blame the situation on the shortage of engines, compartments, drivers, stationmasters and assistant stationmasters, and the “poor condition” of the railway tracks.
Sources say as many as 20 trains have been pulled off five routes, while schedules of 336 others, including intercity and express trains, were cancelled in April and May. The Padmarag Express Train, which runs between Lalmonirhat and Burimari, is likely to be shut down soon for financial reasons.
Railway control room sources said only two out of three trains are running on the Lalmonirhat-Burimari route, two out of four on the Parbotipur-Panchagarh route, and two out of six on the Lalmonirhat-Parbotipur route.
As a result of insufficient drivers, engines and manpower, 20 trains have been sent to the loco-sheds. The schedules of four intercity trains, 40 mail and express trains, and 66 local trains were also cancelled in April.
There are concerns that railway communication in the region could go into a serious crisis if the government fails to recruit and post the necessary personnel and provide good quality engines and other equipment.
Sources at the Lalmonirhat Railway Divisional Mechanical Engineer office said at least 16 out of 37 engines were out of use and had been sent to Shantahar loco-sheds. Many of those still operational are working beyond their expiry date.
Some railway drivers also said the overuse of the good engines has reduced their operating capacity.
There are 80 drivers against the demand for 132 and 60 assistant drivers against the demand for 64 in the Lalmonirhat railway division. Out of these drivers, 47 are in service, 33 are on retirement and four will be retiring by the end of this year.
Admitting the sorry state of train communication in the division, Divisional Manager DRM Abdul Hai said: “The authorities of Bangladesh Railway are going to undertake proper steps soon to improve train communication.”