United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid on Sunday said the government has a plan to modernise level crossings, introduce automatic signalling systems and constructing overpasses and underpasses across the country to to reduce railway accidents. The state minister made the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting the site of a deadly accident at Paduar Bazar Bishwaroad rail crossing in Cumilla that killed 12 people early Sunday. The government is assessing old and risky rail crossings nationwide to determine where overpasses or underpasses can be built to improve safety, he said. Besides, plans are underway to introduce automated systems at level crossings so that barriers will automatically come down once a train enters a designated distance, reducing the risk of human error, he added. Highlighting concerns over safety management, the minister noted that many old rail gates lack proper supervision and gatemen which often leads to accidents. The government is prioritising these problems to prevent future incidents, said the state minister. Two gatemen have already been suspended over alleged negligence in the Cumilla accident and authorities have also formed both divisional and zonal probe committees to investigate the accident including whether there was any lapse on the part of the station master, he said. Responding to questions about accountability, the minister expressed hope that the investigation report would be made public and those responsible would face action. 12 killed as train hits bus in Cumilla Officials have been asked to submit the report within a week. On compensation, he said the families of each deceased victim will receive Tk 1,00,000 from the railway ministry, while the district administration has already announced Tk 25,000. Local administration also announced Tk 15,000 for those injured in the accident. Addressing delays in rescue operations following rail accidents, the minister said the government plans to procure four additional relief trains to ensure faster response and reduce suffering of passengers. Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid was also present there.  

A writ petition was filed with the High Court (HC) on Wednesday seeking its directive to the authorities concerned for conducting a judicial probe into the accidents at the level crossings across the country. Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Tapas Kanti Baul filed a writ petition on behalf of Dhaka University (DU) student Mohiuddin Roni. The writ petition sought directive to pay compensation to the families of the deceased and to the injured victims of train accidents in Chattogram and Gopalganj. The writ petition also sought the formation of a committee headed by a former judge of the Appellate Division to probe the accidents, said Tapas Kanti. Read: Irregularities in train ticket sale: HC stays realisation of fine from Shohoz The Home Affairs Secretary, Law Secretary and Railways Secretary were made respondents to the writ petition. Tapas Kanti said he presented the writ petition for hearing at a bench of the High Court today, but Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia refused to hear the writ petition. “Now I will present the writ petition in another bench of the High Court for hearing.” On July 29, a speeding express train rammed into a microbus at a level crossing at Mirsharai upazila on Friday, killing at least 11 people who were returning from a visit to a popular waterfall in the hills of the area. A court sent gateman Saddam Hussain to jail in the case filed over that accident. On July 21, five construction workers were killed and three injured as a train rammed a concrete mixer three-wheeler at a level crossing in Gopalganj's Kashiani upazila.