The tragic deaths of at least 11 people in a train-microbus collision in Chittagong on Wednesday has once again shone a light on the danger posed by unplanned and unattended level crossings across Bangladesh.
According to data from Bangladesh Railway (BR) released in 2020, at least 419 people were killed and more than 2,000 sustained injuries in 4,914 train accidents that took place at different level crossings, both legal and illegal, over the preceding 15 years.
There were no gatekeepers at 961 legal level crossings, turning them into hotspots for accidents. As many as were even more unprotected and unsafe.
According to railway officials and experts, the shortage and negligence of gatekeepers, unplanned level crossings, illegal movement of pedestrians on rail tracks, and negligence of the drivers (of both locomotives and vehicles) are some of the main reasons for the frequency of accidents.
The Peyarabag level crossing in Moghbazar is one of the deadliest unauthorized level crossings in Dhaka. It is one of the 12 level crossings between Dhaka and Tongi and was set up by the Dhaka South City Corporation.
Locals said deaths were frequent in the area, especially when pedestrians tried to cross while wearing headphones.
Regarding possible solutions to accidents at level crossings, Buet civil engineering department Prof Shamsul Huq in 2020 told Dhaka Tribune: “First and foremost, the railway authorities should take strong steps to stop setting up of more illegal level crossings as it is not only a major cause for deadly accidents but also interrupts regular train speed.”
He also advised building overpasses at major level crossings, and to ensure that properly trained gatekeepers attended level crossings at all times in areas where it is not possible to build overpasses.
BR sources said the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) municipalities and union parishads are mostly responsible for the illegal level crossings.
As local politicians are behind the use and protection of illegal level crossings, the railway authorities are unable to remove them, alleged railway officials.
According to the Railway Act, 1890, no one can walk on rail tracks as it is an offence with a maximum punishment of two years in jail. However, this has failed to dissuade pedestrians.
BR has reportedly requested road authorities concerned to build overpasses at major level crossings in Dhaka, Gazipur, and Narayanganj, but the initiatives are yet to gain any traction due to various complexities.
