Rajshahi Correspondent

About hundreds shops and various establishments have been built by illegally occupying the land of Bangladesh Railway adjacent to the railway line and station. The government is losing about crores taka revenue.

According to the Western Region Railway sources, two railways were established in Charghat Upazila in 1929 named Sardah Road Station and Nandangachi Station. The Nandangachi-Sardah road station section has about 200 acres of government land. At present Sardah Road station is operational but Nandangachi station has been closed for seven years due to lack of manpower. And on this occasion, the local occupiers occupied the land adjacent to the Nandanagachi railway station and built various structures including shops.

By going to the two stations of the surface area upazila, it can be seen that relatively less land has been occupied in Sardah Road station area. Occupiers are collecting rent for constructing 376 shops and establishments by occupying the land at Nandangachi station as the activities are stopped.

On the other hand, there are 32 shops and establishments on the land adjacent to Sardah Road Station. According to railway sources, out of total 408 shops, only 37 shops have railway approval. With the connivance of some unscrupulous officials of the Pakshi land office of the western region of the railway, this local gang has taken over these lands by creating leases and fake documents in Namkawaste. The government is losing huge revenue.

Rent collector Md. Sanaullah said that in the last one year, the railway authorities have not carried out activities even with the initiative to evict illegal structures in Nandangachi and Sardah Road areas.

Because of this, the land occupation of the railway is increasing every day, the locals said. In this regard, local Nimpara UP chairman Mizanur Rahman said that some people collect rent from the land shops of Nandangachi station adjacent to UP Parishad. Government land but neither council nor railway is benefiting.
Western region railways chief land officer Rezaul Karim said, due to various limitations, we do not conduct regular operations. That is why some land is occupied.

Illegal occupants will be investigated and evicted. General Manager (GM) of Western Railway Asim Kumar said that some land in the area adjacent to the station has been encroached due to the closure of Nandangachi station. This has also come to our attention. When the operation of the station starts, these structures will be demolished and the railway land will be freed from encroachment.