The New Nation - Internet Edition

Shamsun Nahar from Rajshahi

The government may lose revenue worth taka 20 million (two crore) annually if the Dhaka-Rajshahi intercity 'Dhumketu Express train, continues not to touch Ishurdi Railway by-pass station. It is learnt from sources close to railway revenue section that 300-350 passengers daily cannot avail the said train because of no stoppage thereof.

The intercity Dhumketu Express departs from Rajshahi at 11 pm and crosses Ishurdi by-pass station at 12 at mid night without stopping there. For this reason, passengers of Ishurdi upazila, Lalpur in Natore, part of Baraigram under Natore district, part of Pabna and part of Bheramara upazila in Kushtia district are being deprived of the service of the train.

Sources further said, from Ishurdi by-pass to Dhaka, the train fare is taka 120 only and Ishurdi to Rajshahi taka 35 only. Because of small fare and strong security system, many passengers want to trael by this train. Requesting anonymity, some ticket examiners said that many seats remained vacant in the intercity train from Rajshahi to Dhaka and Dhaka to Rajshahi, which could be filled by the passengers from the above-mentioned areas if there was a stoppage at Ishurdi by-pass station.

Ishurdi Shartha Rakkha Sangram Committee leaders said that surprisingly less important stations like Chatmohor and Abdulpur have stoppages. Ishurdi, which is regarded as one of the busiest railway junctions in the country with railway division office at Paksey, has not been given stoppage for mysterious reason. There is whispering of secret understanding with the bus owners behind overlooking Ishurdi. Committee leaders further said if Ishurdi was not considered for stoppage in one-month time, they might opt for escalation of movement.

Divisional Railway Manager of Paksey, Mahbubul Alam, said, the matter had been communicated to the higher authorities. General Manager of Bangladesh Railway, West Zone A.K.M.Mushfiqur Rahman said, a stoppage will be given by observing the demand of the people around Ishurdi and by reviewing the prospect of revenues to be earned from this station.