Level crossings a trouble for Chuadanga townspeople

There are six level crossings in Chuadanga town through which trains pass 34 times a day, contributing to intense traffic jam, which is eating up almost five hours of townspeople every day.

People are now very much exhausted as the situation is worsening day by day. They have been facing the problem for years.

Abdul Khaleq, manager of Chuadanga Railway Station, said there are a total 30 level crossings on two kilometres tracks in the district and of the crossings, six are in the town.

Four of the six level crossings are without any gatemen, he said.

Chuadanga is one of the key hubs of the railway route in the country. Darshana International Railway Station lies there.

People and vehicles, including ambulances, get stuck on roads while at least 16 trains and wagons pass through the district to reach Chuadanga Railway Station during pick hours—9:00am to 2:00pm and 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Each train waits at the station for about 10 to 15 minutes.

It contributes to huge traffic jams, which is wasting valuable times of townspeople every day, said locals.

During a recent visit to Belgachi Railway Station area, this correspondent found that around 250 vehicles were waiting to cross the level crossing for about 20 minutes during the passage of a train.

Rashid Choudhury, a resident of Bus standpara area in the town, said a number of students cannot reach their schools timely due to this problem.

Manager Khaleq of Chuadanga Railway Station said they informed the higher authorities about the matter several times but to no response yet.

Chuadanga Deputy Commissioner Gopal Chandra Das said he wrote to the ministry concerned about the matter.

Lawmaker of Chuadanga-1 constituency Solaiman Joarder Selun said he has given a proposal to government to build four overpasses on the main level crossings to ease people’s sufferings.