The 52-km stretch of railroad from Chandpur to Lakhsham is exposed to threats from illegally placed dredging pipes that experts say can potentially weaken its structural integrity.
At least in 13 points, pipes used for transporting dredged materials were taken from one side of the track to another, through hollowed-out rocks underneath.
The pipes pose an existential threat to the trains going through the area, as a lack of sufficient rocks under a track can diminish its weight capacity.
Sources said, sand traders with strong political connections have put the pipes through the railroad in a bid to transport sediment-mixed water from the Dakatia River and adjoining canals.
There are allegations that some dishonest railway officials and members of railway police are also involved in the business.
Locals said, traders tunnelled through the rocks at several points between the Moishadi and Shahtoli rail stations. The same was done at various points near the Modhuroad, Hajiganj and Shahrastir stations.
However, officials at the Government Railway Police (GRP) police station and local engineering department blamed each other for continuation of the offence.
Liakat Ali Majumder, a senior sub-assistant engineer (road) of railway, said, “We marked 13 points where dredging pipes were placed illegally and sent a notice to GRP to take measures against the perpetrators. But no pipes have been removed yet.”
Md. Shahidullah, officer-in-charge of GRP in the region, however, shifted the blame back on the engineering department.
“We need the offenders’ names and addresses in order to make a move against them. We received a memo from them (engineering department) in this regard but no specifics of the accused – without which it is impossible to file a lawsuit or take any action,” he said.
He, however, contradicted himself by citing “dearth of manpower” for failure to make eviction drives against the perpetrators.
He also refused allegations of taking bribes from the sand businessmen.
However, General Manager of railway (operation-east) Tafazzol Hossain said he was not aware of the matter. “The authorities had not given any permission for this type of illegal work. We will take legal action against those involved in the business,” he said.