Thousands suffer as train drivers, associates on nationwide strike
Shefa Begum, a factory worker, came to Kamalapur Railway Station along with her minor children and husband at 9:00am. They came from Kanchpur of Narayanganj for going to Gazipur's Tongi.
"We were unaware about the strike. And now, we have been waiting at the station," she told The Daily Star at 10:30am.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Nila Chowdhury, a housewife, came to the station at 9:45am to catch Kishoreganj Express to go to the district. She along with her 11-year-old boy were seen waiting there.
"We heard about the strike on Facebook. We thought it won't be effective. But we got stranded now," she said.
Nila said, "The authorities have arranged BRTC buses for the passengers, but it didn't match our destinations."
Like Shefa and Nila, thousands of train passengers are suffering after railway operation across the country halted as train drivers and their associate staffers went on work abstention from early morning.
Some waited in uncertainty, while others left after learning about the situation. Passengers, including women and children, were seen waiting at the station, unsure of their next steps.
Members of the police were present at the station to manage the crowd and prevent any untoward incidents.
"No trains have departed from Chattogram since this morning, and passengers are being refunded their ticket fares," said Aman Ullah, chief inspector of RNB Chattogram station.
Sohidul Islam, officer-in-charge of Chattogram Railway Police Station, said, "We have deployed additional forces to prevent any untoward incidents during the strike."
Md Mojibur Rahman, secretary of the Bangladesh Railways (BR) Running Staff and Labour Employees Association, said, "The strike will continue until the government addresses our demands."
passengers like Mohammed Gias Uddin faced immense difficulties.
Gias, who was seen waiting at Chattogram Railway Station with two pieces of luggage, had purchased a ticket for the Subarna Express to return to Dhaka.
"I have several bags, so I chose the train for a smoother journey. The railway authorities could have informed us through a text message, but they didn't," he said.
Gias, along with hundreds of other passengers, was left stranded at the station.
Most trains in the eastern zone, including the Subarna Express, were suspended due to the strike.
Zia Habib, another passenger, waited for two hours at the station for the Cox's Bazar Express.
"Later, I was forced to travel by bus," he said.
Sylhet has similarly been affected, with running staff staging the strike over unresolved issues regarding pension benefits and gratuity allowances linked to their basic pay and running allowance.
The suspension of train services in Sylhet has added to the woes of passengers, many of whom are stranded without alternative transport options.
At Joydebpur in Gazipur around 10:00am today, Hanif Ali, junction railway station master, told The Daily Star that hundreds of passengers were stranded at the station due to the suspension of train services. Many passengers were trying to find alternative modes of transport to reach their destinations.
Passengers at Joydebpur Junction, Tongi, and Sreepur stations expressed anger and frustration, saying they were caught off guard by the sudden suspension and had no prior notice about it.
Mezbah Uddin, who had come to Joydebpur station, was disheartened to learn that trains were not running. However, as it was crucial for him to reach Dhaka, he was left with no choice but to take an expensive road journey.
Runa Begum, a garment worker, had taken three days off from work to attend to urgent matters in Ishwardi, Pabna. She used to travel by train, which cost her around Tk 250-300, but now found herself struggling to figure out an alternative mode of transport, especially as she had never travelled by road before.
Karimonnesa, who came to Sreepur station from Maona to travel to Gafargaon in Mymensingh, was disappointed to learn that no trains were available. She found that autorickshaw and CNG drivers were charging her Tk 200-300 for the ride, further adding to her frustration.
During a visit to the station in the morning, our Thakurgaon correspondent observed passengers of all ages and professions were waiting to begin their journeys.
Farida Akhtar, 25, from the same village, who was heading to Joypurhat, said, "After travelling 15 kilometres at the station, I learned the trains were not running. Why weren't online ticket sales stopped if services were to be suspended?"
Assistant Station Master of Thakurgaon Railway Station Abu Tareq confirmed that online ticket sales continued until the morning.
He said, "Trains that left from Dhaka or elsewhere arrived in the morning, but no trains will depart until the work abstention is withdrawn."
At Khulna Railway Station, no trains departed today, causing significant inconvenience to passengers.
Station authorities have been issuing refunds for advance ticket purchases, but the disruption has forced many passengers to seek alternative transportation.
The increased demand for buses has led to higher fares, adding to the passengers' plight.
Sanowar Hossain, a resident of Sujapur in Pabna, said, "I came to Khulna almost a month ago to harvest Aman paddy. I came to the station this morning to go home, but the trains were cancelled. I went to Sonadanga Bus Terminal, but the fare was too high, so I returned to the station," he said.
Sadikur Islam from Nabharan union in Jashore faced a similar struggle. Accompanied by several others, he was unable to find affordable transportation back home.
Md Zakir Hossain, station master of Khulna railway, confirmed the complete suspension of train services.
"Trains bound for Dhaka, Rajshahi, Benapole, and Nilphamari typically depart early in the morning. Passengers with advance bookings were refunded, but we cannot predict when the issue will be resolved," he said.
"A total of 175 trains, including 65 pairs of intercity, local, and commuter trains, operate daily in the northern and southern districts, carrying at least 65,000 passengers through the Pakshey and Lalmonirhat divisions of Bangladesh Railway," said Md Mamunul Islam, general manager of BR's Pakshey division.
"The sudden strike has paralysed operations in the western zone," he added.
In Chandpur, train services have also been completely halted. No trains left Chandpur Railway Station today, leaving passengers in distress.
The Meghna Express, scheduled to depart for Chattogram at 5:00am, and the Sagarika Express, expected to arrive at 12:50pm, were both cancelled.
Station Master Maruf Hossain said, "Passengers have been refunded for cancelled train tickets. Those who purchased tickets online can claim refunds through the app, while others can collect refunds directly at the counter."
Train drivers and their support staff began a nationwide indefinite work abstention from early today for special allowance after retirement and other demands.
A meeting between the railway authorities and the leaders of the drivers' association ended unsuccessfully last night.
Bangladesh Railway operates more than 350 passenger trains, including over 100 intercity trains, every day. Besides, it operates over three dozen freight trains daily.
Due to manpower shortage, train divers and their assistants (locomasters, assistant locomasters), guards, and travelling ticket checkers have traditionally worked beyond their duty hours and received extra pay for that.
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