Dhaka, Aug 19 – The High Court (HC) on Monday directed the Director General of Bangladesh Railways to submit a report before it by on October 24 on what steps they have been taken to ensure security of the Boromchal Bridge under Kulaura upazila of Moulavibazar district following the accident took place of that area on June 23 this year.
The HC bench comprising Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed over the matter.
The HC bench also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain within four weeks why their inaction to ensure adequate security and safety of the trains and railways of the eastern zone of Bangladesh Railway by immediate repair of the rail lines and rail bridges and culverts of the said zone and also to ensure service of the ‘Keymen’, ‘Waymen’, ‘Gangmen’, ‘Permanent Way Inspector (PWI)’ etc. should not be declared without lawful authority.
Railways Secretary, Director General of Bangladesh Railways, General Manager of Bangladesh Railways’ eastern zone and Chief Engineer of Bangladesh Railways have been made respondents to reply to the rule within four weeks.
Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Foyez Uddin Ahmed filed the petition seeking its directive in this regard.
The writ petition was filed annexing some news cutting published on mismanagement of railways across the country following the deadly accident took place on June 23 in Boromchal area of Kulaura upazila under Moulavibazar district.
In the petition, the lawyer said, “The train accident at Kulaura has once again exposed the weakness of this mode of mass transportation in this country. This accident should not be reviewed in an isolated context. There is a larger picture of the ailing railway. Many more Kulaura tragedies are actually waiting to happen.”
“The policymakers and experts may claim that they are serious about improving the Bangladesh railways, the ground reality does not substantiate their claim. They have, however, admitted that the railway has been subjected to neglect for long and therefore is a candidate for priority treatment in terms of investment and modernizing. Unfortunately what is preached is not practiced,” also read the petition. – Staff Reporter
