RAJSHAHI, May 11: There are four rail crossings at Rajshahi University (RU), but there are no gateman or barricade for safe movement, which is causing accidents very often.
The university and the railway authorities are unheeded to this long-awaited problem, alleged general students and teachers of the RU.
On a recent visit, it was found that there are four rail crossings at Budhparha, Mehrchandi-Karaitola Bazaar, Station Market, and on the entrance of the Faculty of Fine Arts and the Faculty of Agriculture. There are no gatemen or barricades on the crossings.
Eyewitnesses of a recent possible accident at the crossing near the Arts Faculty said people were moving through the crossing as usual on April 15 last when a train from Rajshahi Railway Station arrived. At that time two rickshaws clashed with each other on the crossing but survived from the accident for a while.
In 2017, an unidentified body was recovered near the rail line at Station Market area.
On August 28, 2016, a 3rd year student of the Social Work Department at RU Shantona Basak was crushed under a train on the Arts Faculty crossing.
On February, 17, 2015, the vehicle of Rajshahi Additional Deputy Commissioner was crushed by a train 'Dhumketu Express' on one of crossings at RU, injuring the vehicle's driver Azharul Islam seriously.
A student of Applied Mathematics Department at RU Israt Arefin was crushed under a train on July 14, 2014.
On June 13 of the same year, a youth Sohel Rana was crushed under a train on the crossing at Meherchandi area.
At the same crossing, on November 30, 2013, a woman Shamima Akhter was also crushed under a train.
On January 24, 2010, a 2nd year student of the Pharmacy Department at RU Shamsad Parvin Anu was crushed under a train on the crossing.
A 2nd year student of the Faculty of Fine Arts at RU Masum Billah said, "We have to use this rail crossing regularly as our faculty is divided by the rail line from the main campus. Very often, we cannot understand whether a train is coming or not. This often leads to accidents. I urgently demand a gateman at the crossing."
A 2nd year student of the Anthropology Department at RU Zakia Sultana said she goes from and returns to her mess through the rail crossing adjacent to the Faculty of Fine Arts. She feels unsafe as there is no bar or gateman on the crossing, she added.
Director of the Faculty of Fine Arts Dr. Siddhartha Shankar Talukder said, "We have been trying to solve this problem for long. We had taken various steps before, but it did not work. I think the problem can be solved through joint efforts of Bangladesh Railway, City Corporation and RU authorities."
Additional General Manager of Bangladesh Railway Rajshahi (West) Lutfar Rahman said, "The government alone can appoint necessary manpower on the rail crossings. We have nothing to do in this connection."
RU Student Adviser Professor Jannatul Ferdous said, "The railway crossings have been built for the local people as well as the teachers and the students of the university. Bangladesh Railway will solve this problem. The university authority cannot take any step."
