RAJSHAHI, Jan 21: Just 19-month after its inauguration, Amnura by-pass railway station under west zone railway in Rajshahi is going to be closed. Already an official letter to close the rail station has been sent to the authorities concerned.
Leaders of Nagorik Committee in Chapainawabganj have expressed anger over the decision of the railway authority.
According to sources, strategically important Amnura by-pass railway station was renovated at Tk 210 million and it resumed operation from May 21, 2017. The then Railway minister Mujibul Haque, MP, had formally inaugurated the operation.
It is learnt, while travelling through train from Rajshahi to Chapainawabganj, the train engine needed to change the direction at Amnura railway junction. But, after inauguration of the by-pass station at Amnura, now it is no longer required to change the direction of the engine. Due to construction of by-pass railway tract, the train now takes 30-minute less time to travel from Rajshahi to Chapainawabganj.
Moniruzzaman Monir, Member of Nagorik Committee, Chapainwabganj informed, after the introduction of by-pass railway station at Amnura, the number of train passengers have increased. Being a comparatively safe mode of transport and less time consuming, most people favour travel through train.
The closure of Amnura by-pass station will further increase the sufferings of the passengers, he mentioned. He demanded not to close the railway station rather to introduce direct Chapainawabganj-Dhaka intercity train. A vested quarter was engaged in conspiracy to undermine the success of the government through closure of the station, he added.
AMM Shah Newaz, Chief Operating Superintendent of West Zone railway in Rajshahi in this connection said, due to shortages of manpower, specially shortage of station masters and other staffs to operate a rail station was the cause of closure of some stations. Due to shortage of man power this (Amnura By-pass) station is being closed temporarily but the station will restart whenever man power is available, he mentioned.
