DHAKA: Unawareness is killing people on the rail tracks. Mostly these accidents happen due to the plugged headphones on the ear in high volume, which makes them unaware about the whistle of the forthcoming train.

From an investigative report, it’s been found that most of these unaware passengers are from a certain age group of 15-30.

From the official records of Bangladesh Railway (BR) and Bangladesh Rail Police (GRP) it has also been found that as many as 11 thousand people had lost their lives on the rail tracks from January 2011 to November 2015. Half of them died while they were walking on the rail line with headphones in their ears.

BR director general, Mohammad Amzad Hossain told banglanews, “Many passengers are seen to be walking on the rail tracks with headphones on their ears. They can’t hear train whistle and their unawareness pushes them to death”.

“Trains can’t be halted in small distances. The minimum distance of break is at least 440 yards. Moreover, walking on the rail track is completely illegal. Despite our notices in many points, the unawareness of the pedestrians is causing the death,” he added.

Faisal Ahmed, a student of AIUB died on Banani Rail Crossing on December 11 while he was walking with his headphone on. Ishan (20) from Kamalapur and Sohel from Sirajganj died similarly on the rail track on October 15 and on June 4 respectively while they had headphones plugged on their ears.

Every year, BR is losing Tk 15-crore to remove and process the dead bodies from the rail tracks.

GRP OC of Kamalapur, Abdul Mazid has urged not to use headphone while walking or crossing a rail track.

BDST: 1407 HRS, DEC 13, 2015
AIK/RR