At least 16 railway stations have been closed down in the Comilla region in the past decade, heavily affecting local trading businesses and the livelihood of hundreds of people.
Locals use the station premises to thresh paddy and let the cattle graze, while illegal occupants have set up temporary kitchen markets in some places – thanks to the reluctance of the authorities to reclaim railway lands.
Due to the lack of regular train service in the region, locals have to rely on costlier and more hazardous options -- mainly trucks, buses and human hauliers -- for traveling or transporting goods.
Recently, the railway authorities have taken initiatives to renovate the stations that are in a dilapidated state and recruit adequate workforce to resume operations. Yet, locals will have to wait till the implementation of the development projects.
During a visit to the Khila railway station area in Monoharganj Upazila, this correspondent learned that it had been closed around 12 years ago. Local traders have piled various goods on the abandoned platform; some are drying paddy. Drug addicts and gambler hangouts occupy a corner.
Saifuddin, a tea seller at Khila Bazar, said many people in the area had been affected due to the station's closure; they had to look for alternative income sources. “The whole atmosphere has changed. If the station is opened again, movement of people will increase, and our business will get a life,” he added.
Dhaka TribuneKhorshed Alam, president of the Khila Bazar Traders Association, said: “This is an important market in this area. Due to the closure of the railway station, traders and residents have been the most affected.”
Stations left abandoned
According to railway sources, the stations on Laksam-Noakhali rail route that have remained closed at this time are Daulatganj, Khila, Bipulasar, Bijra, Maijdee and Harinarayanpur.
Chitoshi, Shahrasti, Uaruk, Balakhal, Madhu Road, Shahtali and Moishadi stations on the Laksam-Chandpur route, and Naoti on Laksam-Chittagong route are also out of operation. Sources say around 5-6 more stations are on the way to closure.
On the Laksam-Akhaura route, trains stop only at Lalmai station, but it operates only on paper. There is no sign of development or any initiative to improve facilities at the station.
The Alishwar and Mainamati stations on this route have been renovated. However, no one knows when they will be launched.
Sagir Ahmed of Alishwar said: “I built my house next to the station for convenience. At one time, trains would stop and leave all day and night…with a long whistle. But it has been a completely different picture for a long time. It is quiet now.”
These issues were discussed with Liaquat Ali Majumder, senior deputy assistant engineer (roads) of Comilla Railway. He attributed the closures to manpower shortage.
“Recently, there have been some recruitments for the post of Station Master. After they join, various problems, including the opening of the closed stations, will be resolved to a large extent,” he told Dhaka Tribune.