Unauthorised kitchen market on Khulna rail line sparks safety concerns

An unauthorised and long-standing kitchen market operating directly along a one-kilometre stretch of railway line at Daulatpur in Khulna city has raised serious safety concerns, as vendors and buyers continue daily trading on active rail tracks despite the constant movement of trains and the risk of fatal accidents.
The railway line serves as a vital route for passenger and freight trains travelling between Khulna, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Saidpur and other parts of the country. According to Khulna Railway Station Master Md Zakir Hossain, at least ten intercity trains, along with goods-carrying wagons, pass through this route every day on average.
Despite the operational importance of the line, makeshift stalls have developed on both sides of the tracks, selling rice, fish, vegetables and other daily essentials. The majority of customers are women, many of whom are often seen standing or sitting on the rail tracks while purchasing goods and engaging in conversation.
Locals acknowledge the danger, warning that even a moment’s delay in noticing an approaching train could result in a fatal accident. However, both vendors and buyers appear largely indifferent to the risks involved.
“We purchase our daily essentials, mainly vegetables and fish, from these stalls because prices are cheaper compared to other markets,” said Fouzia Rahman, a housewife from Pabla under Daulatpur Police Station. “There is also a wide variety of fresh produce available in what is locally known as the ‘Rail Line Market’,” she added.
Several past incidents of accidents have reportedly occurred in the area, yet the market continues to operate in the same hazardous location. “We do this to survive and earn a living,” said Amena Khatun, a female vendor, when asked about working under such dangerous conditions.
The market experiences a significant surge in customers during the evening hours when working men and women return home. Many shoppers bring their children along, who are often seen moving dangerously close to the tracks while their mothers are engaged in buying goods.
Shopkeepers claim they pay regular informal tolls to operate in the area, while railway authorities state that the stalls are removed during eviction drives but reappear shortly afterwards. Some vendors, speaking anonymously, alleged that a portion of these tolls is distributed among local influential groups, railway police, and certain railway officials, making it possible for them to continue business on the tracks.
Daulatpur Bazaar Unnayan Committee President Sheikh Aslam Hossain stated that politically influential groups support many of these unauthorised stall owners in exchange for benefits, which makes eviction efforts difficult for railway authorities. He also alleged the involvement of some dishonest railway officials in the arrangement. He further noted that their long-standing demand for a dedicated KCC-managed kitchen market in Daulatpur has remained unaddressed.
Officer-in-Charge of Khulna Government Railway Police (GRP) Station Md Ferdous Alam said maintaining law and order is the responsibility of the police. “We will respond to railway accidents, but illegal structures on railway land fall under the jurisdiction of the Railway Estate Office,” he said.
Khulna Railway Station Master Md Zakir Hossain reiterated that matters related to encroachment are handled by the Estate Office. Meanwhile, Land Surveyor Md Mirazul Islam said several eviction drives have been conducted over the years, but encroachers return shortly after operations.
Kanungo (acting) Md Ruhul Amin also acknowledged the existence of the illegal market, stating that local influential groups are involved. “Every time eviction drives are conducted, the market reappears shortly after,” he said, adding that stronger and coordinated action from local authorities is necessary to resolve the issue permanently.