Moulvibazar Correspondent

The authority has no initiative to open the 3 railway stations of Kulaura Upazila, which were closed one after the other on the pretext of manpower shortage. Due to the closure of the stations, the locals have to bear extreme hardships in the transportation of passengers and goods.

Already 3 out of 7 stations located in Kulaura Upazila of Sylhet-Akhaura railway section The station is closed. As a result train crossings have become rampant. According to railway sources, the upazila's Tilagaon and Bhatera railway stations have been closed for more than a century. Longla station has been closed since last 3 months. And Manu and Chhakapan stations have been kept open with a porter.

Meanwhile Several times the residents of Batera and Tilagaon have stopped the train and held various programs including human chain to demand the operation of these two stations. At various times, the locals have protested, blockaded and given memoranda to the Railway Authority and the District Commissioner. But the demand has not been fulfilled even today. However, the railway authorities are not taking any initiative in this matter.

Railway sources also said that Longla station is located at a distance of about 10 km from Kulaura station on the Sylhet-Akhaura rail section. Shamsernagar station is another 15 km from there. Longla station was used for the crossing of 4 trains of intercity trains plying this route daily and local mail trains and goods. Last 3 months ago of this station

As station master Rajat Roy on duty was transferred to Sylhet's Moglabazar railway station, the station's signaling system was completely stopped. Due to this, the train crossing at Longla station is closed. Currently trains are running on one way line. Any Sylhet-bound train leaves from Shamshernagar station and from Kulaura when the station is open

Any train leaving Dhaka or Chittagong was halted at the intermediate Longla station and given a crossing. As the station is currently closed, any Sylhet-bound train standing at Shamshernagar station has to take a crossing at Kulaura railway station or Dhaka or Chittagong-bound trains standing at Kulaura railway station have to take a crossing at Shamshernagar station. The distance between both the stations is about 25 km. of the crossing

Due to this, the intercity train has to be delayed by about half an hour. Due to this, the train passengers also suffer. On the surface, it can be seen that all three stations are locked. There is no general passenger traffic. Some passengers are waiting for the local train by estimating the scheduled time of the train. They don't know when that train will come. Passengers said that once at these stations

Train schedules and tickets were available. But the stations have been closed for a long time. As a result, many difficulties have to be faced in traveling by train. On the other hand, Tilagaon, Monu, Chhakapan and Batera stations of the Sylhet-Akhaura railway section are silent. There is none Noise or passengers. as if a ghostly atmosphere prevails in the stations.

Local residents of Longla station area, Mostak Ahmad Badshah, Kawsar Ahmad Kaishar, Sheikh Mohsin, Abdul Matin said that the passengers of the local train have been put to extreme hardship as the station has been closed for three months due to lack of master.

Station operation If the local mail train stopped at the station, the passengers could easily travel by train with the goods. But now that the station is closed, the only local mail train comes through the main line and leaves with a whistle. In this, many passengers had accidents while boarding in a hurry.

Batera UP Chairman Syed AKM Nazrul Islam said, 'Passengers and businessmen are suffering due to the closure of Bhatera station for a long time. This station was one of our vehicles for traveling to Sylhet by train. I am making a strong demand on behalf of the union people to start the station soon.

Tilagoon UP Chairman Abdul Malik said that Tilagoon station was established during the British rule for the benefit of Duncan Brothers' garden and the public of the area. At B-grade station Tilagaon, the government used to earn lakhs of rupees just by booking garden goods. The railway station surrounded by tea gardens is very important However, this station is currently in an unprotected state. As a result, the passengers are suffering a lot.

Kulaura station master Muhib Uddin Ahmad said, since Longla station has been closed for three months, all intercity trains have to stop at Kulaura and Shamsernagar and cross. It is hoped that the Master will be appointed at Longla station within the next three months.

Higher authorities will take necessary initiatives regarding opening of Tilagaon and Bhatera stations. Sylhet-Akhaura Railway Section Transport Inspector (TIC) Taufiqul Azim said that there is currently a shortage of station masters across the country. Many stations on Sylhet-Akhaura section Currently closed due to lack of master.

Recruitment process of new station master is going on. Training will be given to station masters after recruitment. Newly appointed masters cannot take charge before next December. This problem will not be solved immediately before the new recruits take over.