By Sarker Shariful Islam, Rajshahi Bureau Chief RAJSHAHI:
The Western Zone Railway is facing a growing safety crisis as thousands of concrete sleepers, imported from India and installed over the last two decades, have begun to crack and disintegrate.
The widespread degradation has left several sections of the 345-kilometer track vulnerable, forcing railway officials to conduct daily inspections to prevent derailments.
Widespread Damage and Safety Concerns
Since 2003, concrete sleepers were installed to replace traditional wooden ones across 345 kilometers of track. However, despite being a relatively recent installation, these sleepers have shown premature failure.
A field visit revealed that the most severe damage is concentrated on the 48-kilometer stretch between Ishwardi (Pabna) and Ullapara (Sirajganj).
Railway officials confirmed that approximately 2,500 sleepers are broken or severely cracked on this segment alone.
Locally, the situation is even more dire; across the entire Joypurhat-to-Parbatipur stretch, an estimated 50,000 sleepers are reportedly damaged or at risk.
History of Accidents
The deteriorating infrastructure has been linked to a series of recent incidents that have alarmed local residents and commuters:
December 2021: A freight train derailed at Boral Bridge station.
May 2023: A derailment occurred at Ullapara.
June & September 2025: Line cracks were discovered near Bhangura and Dilpasha stations. In one instance, jute sacks were used as a makeshift "fix" to allow a train to pass.
September 29, 2025: The Panchagarh Express derailed near Bhangura, suspending rail traffic for six hours.
"Major accidents can occur at any time," warned Ali Akbar, a resident of Bhangura. "We see sleepers being replaced, only for more to break shortly after. The risk is constant."
Technical Debate: Wood vs. Concrete
While railway experts generally prefer concrete for its longevity, local sentiment is shifting. Monirul Islam, a resident of Ishwardi, noted, "The concrete sleepers don't seem to last even 10 years, whereas the old wooden sleepers lasted 40 to 50 years without issue."
However, Ahmed Hossain Masum, Chief Engineer of Western Railway, maintains that concrete remains the superior material.
He clarified that the current issues stem from specific batches of imported stock. "We no longer import these sleepers; they are now manufactured domestically. Locally made sleepers are far more durable," Masum stated.
Proposed Solutions and Budget
The Railway Ministry is currently considering a Tk 22 crore project aimed at replacing the broken sleepers over the next five years. The proposal is currently awaiting approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
While Engineer Masum downplayed the immediate danger—stating that only 2% to 4% of the 550,000 total sleepers are damaged—field officials acknowledge that the lack of budget for bulk replacements has forced them into a cycle of "urgent-only" repairs.
Until the ECNEC approves the new project, the safety of the Western Zone's rail movement relies on the vigilance of daily trolley-car inspections.
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