At least four of six railway stations in Mirsharai upazila under the district have remained shut for a long time and given way to dens of gamblers and thieves.
The four are Mirsharai Sadar, Nijampur, Mohasthannagar and Dhumghat stations shut off in the wake of the rail authorities’ negligence, sources said.
The very useful pieces of expensive equipment at the stations have gone out of service because of the shutdown and lack of maintenance.
Taking advantage of the situation, the young thugs steal pieces of machinery of the rail stations and make a large sum, ultimately causing the rail authorities to count a big loss of rail property.
Sources said a total of six railway stations used to be fully functional a decade ago which was crowded with a large number of passengers.
Currently, rail services are available in two stations – Chinki Ashtana and Borotakia, with only local trains halting there.
During a recent visit to Nijampur, Borotakia, Mirsharai and Dhumghat stations, it was observed that equipment were decaying while the staff rooms remaining under lock and key.
A group of animals were seen tied up in the passengers’ waiting rooms.
Only a handful tea stalls set up a decade ago were still running in Mirsharai Rail Station and bearing testimony to its golden past.
Tea stall owners said different goods used to be transported to different parts of the country through this station via rail service.
Especially, Hilsa Fish of Chandpur district used to be taken to the port city through Mirsharai.
They added that local markets like Mithachara and Mirsharai bazars were set up for the rail passengers.
More than 30 staff members including porters worked at Mirsharai.
Besides, other rail stations – Kumira, Barbaku, Bhatiyari and Faujdarhat – in Sitakunda upazila suffered the same fate because of the authorities’ negligence. Locals said rail authorities were to blame for the worst situation of railways.
Because of the authorities’ lack of concern, trains arrived late all time, but they never tried to fix the problem, they said, adding that as a result, passengers began to rely on bus journey.
Besides, these stations have also turned dens for gamblers and thieves stealing expensive equipment like point motor, signal posts, signal cables, bridge cables and many such things.
Contacted, signal Engineer Shibananda Chakrabarti of Chittagong Railway Station said: “I will talk to higher officials in this regard.”