The railway crossing area of Fulbari upazila of Dinajpur district is at risk and chance of an accident is increasing everyday as illegal establishments are being constructed around the crossing. An overpass has become essential for public transportation. About 800 feet north of Phulbari railway station in Dinajpur, there is only one railway crossing at Phulbari the upazila. Vehicles departing from Rangpur every day and leaving from different districts use this train only through Phulbari Rail crossing. Every day, hundreds of trucks carrying stones from Madhyapara cross this rail crossing and travel to different parts of the country.
Earlier, two train accidents took place at this rail crossing. Crossing guard was killed on the spot. As soon as trains arrive, two safety poles are lowered at the railway crossing. Hundreds of vehicles become stuck for a long period of time on the west-east side. Traffic jams are caused due to accumulation of vehicles. After a long time, vehicles start moving slowly from both sides. But on both sides of the railway crossing, the railway has occupied the land and built shops and buildings. There are no vacancies on the two sites of the railway. They are given a one-time lease from the railway station department. They built this building on lease. As a result, the vehicles are struggling to cross. Though a gateman has been appointed, due to the narrow field of view for the vehicle drivers caused by the illegal establishments adjacent to the rail crossing, a major accident can occur at any moment.
The rail crossing at Phulbari is currently unsafe. Locals and concerned authorities said that if an overpass is built here to the north or south, the people of the city will be able to travel freely. Students of school college madrasa from east and west pass through this rail crossing and go to school-college to study. Although the higher authorities of the railways are aware of the rail crossing, no effective action is being taken.
