Islam guards ‘unprotected railway crossing’ without pay for 5 years
Islam guards an ‘unprotected railway crossing’ in Pirganj, Thakurgaon
For five years, a van driver named Islam has been guarding an “unprotected railway crossing” in Pirganj, Thakurgaon, using a bamboo barrier.
He has been doing the work voluntarily to save people’s lives rather than as part of any institutional responsibility. His home is near the railway crossing. When he has to leave the area for work, family members or local residents take over the responsibility.
In 2021, two employees of the District Judge’s Court were killed after being hit by a train at the busy railway crossing in the Jagtha area of the municipal town, west of the Upazila Land Office and north of Pirganj Railway Station. Islam witnessed the accident. He said the accident occurred because there was no gatekeeper at the railway crossing.
Islam said, “Since then, I have been regularly performing the duties of a gatekeeper at the railway crossing by making a bamboo barrier. When I leave the area with my van for a living, my family members or local residents perform the duty.”
He claimed that no other accident had occurred at the railway crossing in the past five years. However, he questioned how long he could continue performing the responsibility voluntarily. Islam also said that appointing a gatekeeper there is necessary for a permanent solution to the problem.
Several local residents including Mohammad Ali, Hridoy and Profulla Kumar said it is one of the busiest railway crossings in the town. Hundreds of vehicles pass through the crossing every day. Yet there is no gatekeeper there.
They demanded that a permanent gatekeeper should be appointed there as soon as possible.
Pirganj Press Club General Secretary Nasrate Khoda Rana said, “Despite his financial hardship, van driver Islam has been voluntarily guarding the railway crossing for five years to save people’s lives. This is unprecedented.”
Pirganj Railway Station Stationmaster Sohrab Hossain said five intercity trains and one commuter train operate on this railway route every day. He said he knows that a person is voluntarily guarding the railway crossing in the Jagtha area with a bamboo barrier while risking his life. He also said the matter has been reported to the higher authorities.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Golam Rabbani Sardar said the matter will be reported to the higher authorities. He also said he would speak with the Deputy Commissioner about whether Islam could be provided with local support until a gatekeeper is appointed.
