The number of deaths at unauthorised railway level crossing has recently increased alarmingly. Around 250 lives were lost last year in 250 accidents at the level crossings. Among all the railway related deaths, 89 per cent were recorded at level crossings.
But only Tk 1 billion has been allocated for level crossing sector from the Tk 1,500 billion railway budget. It looks like the policymakers do not have safety issues on their priority list. This is a neglect of duty which can be termed eventually as criminal offences. In this regard, these deaths at level crossings should be considered as murders.
The statement given by the railways minister on Tuesday shows how unfortunate we are. He said why the railway ministry would take responsibility if someone falls victim to an accident at an unauthorised level crossing as the ministry did not build it. But, we have not yet seen any incident of shouldering responsibility at authorised level crossings by the railway.
From the railways minister's press conference, we have come to know some of his confessions.
One: It is government agencies that create obstacles in train journey. The railway sometimes files cases against the agencies but cannot go further.
Two: The railway remains silent knowing the fact that keeping unauthorised level crossing itself is a crime.
Three: There is no coordination between the government departments and agencies in railway management.
Four: The minister in a way confirmed that there is no such thing like security in the railway. According to his statement, 2,000 of Bangladesh's 3,200 level crossings are unauthorised.
Taking all these into cognizance, not just passengers of trains and vehicles but also pedestrians will be alarmed. All these unauthorised level crossings are like death traps.
We thank the railways minister that he brought out some unpleasant truths at the press conference. But, the picture of irregularities and mismanagement he projected at the conference should have been resolved by him a long way back. It was his duty. So, the railway ministry has to take the responsibility.
We hope the railways ministry will give a quick interpretation about a recent report where it has been said that only 466 authorised level crossings have gatemen among 1,442 crossings.
The minister, himself, said the Kulaura accident could have been avoided 'if we were cautious'. The anarchy in the railway would not come to an end if those who are responsible for the accidents go unpunished.