Accidents at Padua crossing ‘nothing new’: local MP tells rail minister
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In the aftermath of a horrific accident at Padua Bazar Railway Crossing in Cumilla, local MP Monirul Haque Chowdhury has urgently sought intervention from Road Transport Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam.
Hours after the tragedy in the wee hours of Sunday, which claimed 12 lives, the Cumilla-6 BNP lawmaker, who is in Singapore at the moment, phoned the minister.
A video of the tearful conversation later circulated widely on social media.
The two spoke around 10am on Sunday and later posted the video of the call on his Facebook page.
The MP urged the minister to visit the site promptly and promised to return to Bangladesh after completing his medical treatment.
The accident occurred at 3am on Saturday when a Dhaka Mail train smashed into a Mamun Special bus, travelling from Chuadanga to Lakshmipur, after it had driven onto the railway tracks.
The bus was mangled and dragged nearly a kilometre by the train.
In the video, Monirul said: “This is not a new incident. These accidents have been happening for the last century, and no one is held accountable. I have tried as much as I could.”
He recalled that during the caretaker government, all documents were submitted to the rail secretary.
“Madam (Khaleda Zia) allocated funds for the Paduar Bazar barricade, which were embezzled during the Awami League’s tenure. Saifur Rahman allocated Tk 7.5 billion for this Dhaka-Chattogram Highway work, but I couldn’t complete it.”
Monirul continued, speaking through tears: “I will try to catch a flight [Monday] night after my medical check-up. Seeing these bodies has aged me.
“Brother Rabiul, I can only find peace in life once the Paduar Bazar railway barricade is safe. I couldn’t [send] anyone along -- please see for yourself.”
In response, the minister told him: “I’m on my way. I will do what I must.”