Signal equipment and other railway components are being stolen regularly from the Dhaka-Bhanga rail line, disrupting train operations and raising fears of a major accident.
To prevent accidents and keep train services running, railway staff have been manually issuing paper line clear authority using look sticks, placing an additional burden on frontline personnel.
The Dhaka-Bhanga railway via the Padma Bridge was inaugurated on 10 October 2023, significantly improving connectivity between Dhaka and the country’s south-western region. Thousands of passengers now use the route every day.
On the night of 19 June, several track pots used in the signalling system at Padma Railway Station in Shibchar, Madaripur, were reported stolen.
Earlier, on 9 June, all the track pots at the signal point on the Shibchar end of the same station were stolen. On 18 March, another set of track pots at Shibchar Railway Station was also removed by thieves.
Railway officials said track pots and other signalling equipment have been stolen from several stations along the Dhaka-Bhanga line over the past six months. The thefts have rendered signalling blocks inoperative, causing delays to train services.
Shibchar Railway Station Master Mohammad Selim Hossain said the theft of track pots had increased train journey times.
“Police used to provide security, but they no longer do. There is no security now. We strongly demand that security personnel be deployed to protect this government property,” he said.
Bhanga Railway Police Inspector Md Shahjahan said cases had been filed over the thefts and several suspects arrested. “However, it is difficult for us to patrol regularly because Shibchar and Padma stations are far from Bhanga Junction. We will increase patrols to prevent further theft,” he said.
