At least 26 people were killed at different level crossings along Santahar-Kaunia section in the northern region during the last year due to lack of protective devices at the crossings.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Bonarpara Government Railway Police Station Ataur Rahman said most accidents took place when running trains hit vehicles at level crossings. Several pedestrians also got run over by trains while crossing the tracks.

Such accidents take place due to carelessness and lack of protective devices. Most of the crossings do not even have gatekeepers.

Police undertook different motivational programmes, including distribution of leaflets, pasting of posters, hoisting of banners in prominent places and public announcements, to persuade people and drivers of vehicles to be more careful while crossing the rail tracks.

There are 27 rail stations and over 50 level crossings in Kaunia-Santahar section. Of them, only a few have protective equipment and gatekeepers, while the others remain open round the clock.

The authorities have 'completed' their duty just by putting a signboard warning people to cross the point at their own responsibility. Photo: KM Rezaul Hoque

In many places the trains cannot be seen as houses and trees hide the tracks and adjoining roads, so careless driving of vehicles leads to accidents.

The authorities have put up signboards at some level crossings to warn people, but those have not been able to stop the increasing number of accidents, said Khalilur Rahman, a trader in Bonarpara rail station.

“Sometimes we cannot hear a train approaching the level crossing due to traffic noise on the roads," said Afzal Hossain, driver of a CNG-run three-wheeler.

“We are conducting drives to tell people to be alert while crossing the rail tracks and have requested the authorities to set up protective devices at all level crossings,” said OC Ataur.

Divisional Traffic Manager of Lalmonirhat Railway Division Abdullah Al Mamun said renovation of all level crossings in different sections will be started soon.