Accidents often occur atthe level crossing in Raninagar upazila of Naogaon due to an uneven road surface. Although almost one year has passed, the railway authorities have not yet taken any steps to repair the road, citing the lack of budgetary allocation.As a result, pedestrians and passengers meet with accidents and suffer injuries.
Van driver Md Mehedi said during repair work about a year ago, workers removed the concrete portion of the road near the rail track. Small vehicles often overturnon the road with passengers. Patients are distressed by jolts, and vehicles are damaged by sudden bumps, he added.
Ruhul Amin, another van driver from Simba village, said the road on both sides of the level crossing is in good condition, but the section of the railway has been left uneven for a long time. This small stretch of the road is causing damage to vehicle parts. With more than 20 trains passing daily, traffic congestion builds up, and pedestrians and vehicles collide while crossing the uneven section.
Alam Hossain, a resident of Abadpukur, said the Raninagar rail crossing is an important and busy point. Every day, thousands of people from the eastern part of the upazila travel through this crossing to reach the upazila headquarters, Naogaon town, and other areas. The uneven surface has created a major inconvenience, particularly for elderly and physically weak individuals. “There is no alternative but to fix this section immediately,” he said.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Rakibul Hasan said passengers have to wait for hours due to trafficjams at the narrow level crossing just after a train passes. Pedestrians also have to suffer a lot due to the uneven road surface. People from all walks of life have been submitting complaints regularly. “We have urged the railway authorities to take necessary steps in this regard.”
Santahar Railway’s Senior Sub-Assistant Engineer Md. Abdur Rahman told this correspondent over the phone that the matter has been communicated to the higher authorities. “Once funds are allocated, the uneven portion will be repaired,” he added.
Naogaon Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer Md. Rashedul Haque Russel clarified that although the road belongs to the RHD, the track area falls under the railway’s authority. “We cannot repair that section without permission. We have sought approval, and if the railway grants it, we are ready to fix the uneven part immediately to reduce public suffering,” he said.
Residents now await swift coordination between the railway and roads departments to resolve the longstanding hazard.The local residents and road users have urged the authorities concerned to immediately level the damaged section.
