92 already closed, 70 more on the verge of closure in W Zone
Manpower crisis hits rly stations
STAFF REPORTER, Sirajganj
At least 92 railway stations out of 231 in Bangladesh Railway Western Zone have been shut down due to shortage of manpower, while 70 more are on the verge of closure, sources said.
Many officers and employees of a number of railway stations have gone into retirement or ended their contractual period. Therefore, the number of necessary manpower for carrying out the activities of the railway stations and trains has declined.
Official sources at the railway zone said the operation of many railway stations touched by local and mail trains are going to be shut down for want of adequate manpower.
Meanwhile, about 32 mail and local trains of Pakshy and Lalmonirhat sections have stopped running for want of necessary guard, driver, assistant driver and other essential staff.
For the same reason, around two crores people in north-west and southern region are facing trouble and counting additional fare as they have to travel on buses or intercity trains for their day to day activities.
Sources said once around 4 crores poor and needy people in the regions used to travel by mail and local trains everyday spending a nominal fare. But now, suffering and expenditure both have going up for the commuters due to the shutdown of the railway stations and trains.
An official at Lalmonirhat Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) office seeking anonymity said many railway stations and trains might be closed in a short time for want of efficient manpower. It will not be possible to operate trains with the newly recruited staff as they need more time to build efficiency and skill.
To operate trains, efficient guard, driver and TTE are needed. Whereas, to operate railway stations, efficient station masters, assistant station masters, points men, gateman, porters and ticket collectors (TC) are required. There is a provision that assistant driver becomes driver after promotion and assistant station master is promoted to station master, porter is promoted to points man and TC becomes Train Ticket Examiner (TTE).
They develop their skills by working for a long time. But, around 25 per cent of manpower now working in the railway division is on a contract basis. However, the stipulated time for many of them will end within next two to three years.
Sources claimed that the railway department is facing manifold problems due to manpower shortage. About 90 per cent train cannot maintain schedule due to extreme shortage of manpower. Accidents are increasing at the level crossings without gateman.
There are 231 stations in the Western Zone of Bangladesh Railway. Around 600 station masters are needed to keep the 231 railway stations in operation. But, those stations are running by only 150 station masters. There is a need for a station master, two assistant station masters and four points men to run a station, concerned officials claimed.
The stipulated period of some 45 station masters, who were on contract basis, completed their terms last March and the time of 24 more station masters ended in May. The contractual period for 28 more persons will end in coming October, while the tenure of 19 more station masters in the zone will end shortly.
In this situation, the officials are apprehending that at least 70 stations in the Zone may be shut down at the end of this year. As a result, most of the trains will fail schedule and the commuters will suffer.
