Editorial
Glaring railway pilferage
Ferret out the culprits and punish them
IT is shocking news that 3,500 metal clips from the railway tracks between Banani and Cantonment stations have been stolen. What is most frightening is that seventeen trains had already crossed that stretch of track before the incident of theft had been discovered. We can only say that it is sheer good luck that none of the trains faced any disaster because of the missing clips. As an immediate step, the railway authorities suspended all communications for five hours on Friday since early morning and undertook the repair work.
This was no ordinary, petty theft of railway track materials. Small scale pilferage of nuts and bolts, even slippers, happens on a fairly regular basis, which are replaced by the staff who go on regular checking of the tracks. But, the nature of theft on Friday indicates involvement of some organised and trained people, as it required some special tools to open the clips that clamp the tracks with the wooden slippers. The Bangladesh Railway experts also believe it would have taken at least 10 people over five hours to remove the clips. This brings forth the question: What were the track supervisors of that particular area doing while the thieves were in action right at an exposed part of the city? Such large-scale operation could be done only with the support of some insiders who either provided the needed tools or stood guard while the act was being carried out.
Bangladesh Railway has the legacy of making loss for decades together though it gobbles up a huge budget every year. There is no sign of improvement in sight to cheer us up. In fact, the stories of incompetence in the vital areas like operations, maintenance and services to passengers are indictment on the state of management of the sector. The recent story of theft of 3,500 metal clips within hours only tell us that there is a well-organised network of criminals targeting at spiriting away railway property. It is therefore expected of the authorities to launch a vigorous, result-oriented investigation to flush out the criminals and put them behind the bar. There can be no mercy for offenders who have no respect for human lives.
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