It has been ostensibly established across the globe that journey by train is less risky. But Bangladesh railway has disproved this perception. Accidents are regular phenomena. A series of heart-breaking accidents did occur in the past and are still occurring at the unmanned railway crossings. But the railway department seems nonchalant and desensitised. Apart from this, frequent accidents occur due to derailment and engine disorder. This also means that the department seriously suffers from inefficiency and irresponsibility syndrome. Thousands of railway posts remain vacant for years. Some months ago, the Railway Minister assured that he would complete the job of filling vacancies within two years. This statement has not been understandable, as appointment, retirement and removal of officers and staffs are regular and permanent functions of any department, particularly which requires large number of personnel.
Under such circumstances, this kind of 'schedule' is confusing. Will there be no further requirement after that schedule is over? Also, whether any progress has been made at filling these posts within the said time is not known. From the nature of railway accidents it appears that the department totally ignores the maintenance work of the rail tracks, checking of the engines etc. During the pre-liberation war days, such accidents caused by lack of maintenance work were very rare. Due to the spate of road accidents, people are already very scared about road trips. It can be an opportunity for railway to draw large number of passengers by improving their services. But they seem determined not to do so.
Meanwhile, the civil aviation sector has been expanding their services by 20 per cent annually.
But, road accidents have been on the rise. A resident of a roadside hamlet or a shop can be killed in his sleep when a speeding vehicle veers off the road and crashes into the makeshift house. On the highway, accidents regularly occur when reckless driving forces loaded buses to dive into the wayside ditch or water. Even in the city, in presence of law enforcing agency officials, buses race on busy roads often not leaving an inch of space between the vehicles. A few days ago, university student Rajib Hossain became a victim of such a race and lost his hand. Eventually, he succumbed to his injuries. But this incident did not strike the collective conscience of the bus drivers. Similar accidents continue on the streets of Dhaka.
A chaotic situation is prevailing in Dhaka city and on the highways as no speed limit is followed. In the city, the plying of VIP cars creates further difficulties for commuters.
Additionally, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has not been able to stop the plying of unfit vehicles in spite of a lot of promises.
Hardly any action can be taken against the violators of traffic rules even for grievous offence like reckless driving. It is interesting to observe that if a transport worker is arrested by the police, transport workers and owners join hands to protest and take extreme measures like, stopping traffic on the concerned route till their demands are met. As a consequence the impunity syndrome continues. It is believed that corrupt elements, including some politicians, transport businessmen and transport labour union, have made an unholy and powerful alliance. It is believed that this alliance was behind the conspiracy to destroy the railway department. Unfortunately, the World Bank (WB) had supported this move. Based on the World Bank's advice, experienced and senior railway officers and staff were let go. Some were given the 'golden handshake'. This move has hurt the railway department badly. It is yet to recover from this deluge and is currently being run with novices in its workforce.
However, people of the country will remember Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's steps to rescue the sinking railway department. More efficient hands should be posted in the railway department to ensure its overall improvement. Changes should start from the top.
Coming back to the roads, recently even transport drivers and members of law enforcing agencies are falling victims to reckless driving on the roads. Authorities are trying to balance the suffering of the victims by giving them money. Probably they are also trying to absolve their responsibilities through such payments. But the sufferings of victims of road accidents are immeasurable, both in monetary and humanitarian consideration. Everyday more than a dozen people are killed and several dozen are injured in the road accidents.
The authorities know the problems and need to take steps to address this by rising above political or any other considerations. Also, the authorities need to remember that people will welcome and support any tough measures they see fit against violators of traffic rules, lack of maintenance of railway tracks and more.
