Bogura Correspondent:

Rakib Hossain, an undergraduate student at Azizul Haque College in Bogura, was killed on July 06 after being hit by a train while crossing an unprotected level crossing inside the college campus. The accident, which occurred around 3:00 pm, triggered a student outburst.

Following demonstrations over Rakib’s death, the Bogura railway station manager deployed two security guards at the unmanned level crossing on August 01. Rakib’s case is not an isolated one. At least 61 people were killed in railway accidents in Bogura in the one year ending in June 2025-likely the highest number of fatalities in any district.

Seventeen such accidents occurred in Azizul Haque College area over the past five years.

Railway authorities admitted that they did not have the exact figures for deaths on the 182 kilometre track that runs through Bogura district and surrounding areas.

However, railway sources said about 85 per cent of the fatalities happened at level crossings, most of which lie unguarded.

According to Santahar Railway Police, between June 2024 and June 2025, 61 people died after being struck by trains in Bogura and nearby areas. Of them, 27 were killed in the past six months alone on the 70-kilometre stretch between Santahar and Bogura.

The Bogura Railway Engineering Division reports that 14 trains operate daily along this stretch, which has 73 level crossings.

Of these, only 48 are officially approved. Thirty approved level crossings have gates and barriers, while 18 approved and 25 unauthorised crossings remain unprotected. Ten are considered highly risky.

The Korotoa rail bridge, connecting eastern Bogura with the city, is also frequently used by pedestrians, adding to danger. Out of the 48 approved crossings between Sonatala and Santahar, only eight-classified as “special” and “A” category-are protected. Six special-category crossings, including the one in front of Government Azizul Haque College, are manned by three gatekeepers each around the clock. Two A-category crossings are staffed by two gatekeepers each. In contrast, 38 “C category” crossings remain unprotected. Ten of these are in densely populated areas, making them especially

hazardous. Some of the riskiest include Chelepara, Kaichar, Sabgram, and Akashtara in Bogura city, as well as sites near Adamdighi, Altafnagar, Syed Ahmed College, and Kahaloo stations.

At Kamargarh, north of Bogura Railway Station, an inter-thana bus terminal has been built without a protected level crossing.

Passengers frequently walk across the tracks, and accidents commonly happen at several city crossings, including Levels 1, 2, and 3.

Illegal markets around three major level crossings in Bogura city have further increased pedestrian movement, heightening the risk of fatal accidents.

“Roads have been built randomly across railway lines, creating more than 50 level crossings in Bogura alone,” said Station Master Md. Sazedur Rahman Saju. “Authorised crossings have gates and gatekeepers, but unauthorised ones lack any safety measures. As a result, accidents frequently occur, causing both casualties and damage to vehicles.”

Rafiqul Islam, a mathematics lecturer at Azizul Haque College, noted: “Railway crossings are practically synonymous with negligence. Nationwide, 82 per cent of level crossings are unprotected, with neither guards nor barriers. Even where protections exist, accidents still occur due to guard’s negligence or driver’s recklessness.”

Engineer Afzal Hossain, Senior Assistant Engineer (Track) of Bogura Railway, said: “In an inter-ministerial meeting with LGED, certain roads have already been identified for safety upgrades.

Gradually, all gates will be secured, and gatekeepers will be deployed in Bogura city where urgently needed.” Globally, rail is regarded as one of the safest modes of transport. But in Bangladesh, experts say unprotected level crossings undermine safety.

Monirul Islam Firoz, Chief Engineer of Railway (West Zone), said they are planning to introduce an automatic alarm bell system at unprotected crossings to alert pedestrians when trains are approaching.