At least 101 people have been killed in train-related accidents on the Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar railway route in nearly three years, with most incidents occurring at illegal or unguarded level crossings, according to railway and police officials.
The 152-kilometre route has 99 legal and 77 illegal level crossings. Of the legal crossings, 56 have no gateman, leaving motorists and pedestrians dependent largely on their own caution when trains approach.
Railway authorities have closed 22 illegal level crossings and are taking steps to shut 35 more level crossings. A proposal to appoint gatemen at the 56 unguarded legal crossings has been sent to the Railway Ministry.
However, officials said adequate funding has yet to be allocated for the manpower needed to maintain safety on the newly built line.
Train services on the route began on December 1, 2023. Four pairs of trains currently operate—Cox’s Bazar Express and Parjatan Express between Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar, and Prabal Express and Saikat Express between Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar. Mahanagar Express is expected to be added to the route next month.
According to railway data, the Chittagong-Dohazari section has 27 legal and 47 illegal level crossings, while the Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar section has 72 legal and 30 illegal level crossings.
The safety situation is particularly concerning on the newly constructed Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar section, where 56 of the 72 legal crossings have no gateman. Many also lack barriers to prevent vehicles and pedestrians from crossing when trains pass.
Chittagong Railway Police Officer-in-Charge Sujan Kanti Dey said 27 people were killed in train accidents on the route in 2024, 43 in 2025 and 31 up to September 30 this year.
Recent incidents have highlighted the risks. On September 20, two people were killed when the Prabal Express hit an autorickshaw at a railway crossing in Satkania. The following day, a Cox’s Bazar Express train collided with a covered van at a crossing in Patiya, derailing a coach. No passengers were injured, but services were suspended for several hours.
On September 26, a Rohingya man identified as Abdul Rahim was killed after being run over by the Cox’s Bazar-bound Parjatan Express in Sholoshahar. On September 11, a man was killed after being run over by a train in the same area, while a 10-year-old boy injured in the incident later died in hospital.
Railway Eastern Zone Divisional Railway Manager Mostafizur Rahman Bhuiyan said people were creating illegal paths across railway lines for convenience. “People need to remain cautious while using these paths. Most of these accidents occur because of a lack of awareness,” he said.
Chittagong Railway Police Superintendent Tahura Jannat said most level crossings were illegal and had been created by locals for their own convenience. “When someone dies in a train accident, locals put up barricades and ask why railway authorities are not deploying guards there,” she said.
