Ramna train has not been running for long 21 months. As a result, ordinary people including marginal people of the area have fallen into extreme misery. Surrounding this train was the livelihood of thousands of people in the region. But due to non-operation of trains for a long time, their income has stopped. However, eminent people think that due to the negligence of concerned authorities, the Ramna train is currently being stopped from providing services.
According to them, the people in Kurigram are being deprived of railway facilities as the Ramna train has not been launched in the long-impoverished northern district of Kurigram. According to the relevant sources, since 1974, the local Ramna train No.422 has been running regularly on Parbatipur-Ramna, Ramna-Teesta number 415 and 418 Teesta-Ramna, 421 Ramna-Parbatipur routes.
The people of the impoverished Ulipur-Chilmari upazila, which was affected by the river erosion, used to sell their produce at fair prices in the outlying districts. Besides, local wholesalers used to import various products from different districts of the country by using this train. But due to the pandemic situation in the country, the Ramna train stopped running. Although the situation was contained by the relentless effort of the government later, the authorities did not start the Ramna train.
As a result, ordinary passengers, peddlers, hawkers and people working around the train are in extreme distress. In addition, small and medium traders are facing extreme losses due to non-operation of trains.
Meanwhile, the distance from Kurigram to Ramna station is 26 kilometers. There are 4 stations on this railway. As the train did not come to this area for a long time, drug addicts started to occupy stations.
At one time there was a huge crowd at Ulipur railway station but now there is nothing but silence. A few locals were seen sitting in the station. Talking to them at that time, they said that the Ramna train service from Karona was stopped. On November 12, the Railway Minister visited the station. The people of the area would have benefited a lot if the fast Ramna train had been launched.
"We have four porters at this station," said Shamsul Alam, the station's porter. We made our living around the train.
But as the train service stopped in Corona, our income stopped. As a result, I am living with great difficulty with my family. The rest are joining other professions. It's been a long time since yesterday, but the train is not starting.
Saleha Begum, a grocer, said, "Before, trains used to come every day, people used to travel to the station, and sales were also good. Our family used to run this small shop. But now the train does not come and there is no sale.”
Sabuj Mia, office assistant of Ulipur railway station, said that the train movement was stopped and there was no work. Even if the train is closed, the office has to be opened every day. Station officials don't know when the train will start running.
Nahid Hasan, chief coordinator of the Railway Communication and Environment Development People's Committee, said it was unfortunate that the Ramna train had not arrived in the area for 21 months. Roumari-Rajibpur and Sundarganj upazilas including Chilmari are also dependent on Ramna railway station.
The importance of district roads and river ports has increased. He also said that people in the area are being discriminated against as the local train has been stopped for a long time.Shah Sufi Nur Mohammad, divisional railway manager of Lalmonirhat Railway, said, "We are trying to figure out how to start the train." However, the Ramna train will be launched soon, the official said.
