The gleaming new rail line connecting Dhaka to Jashore under the Padma Bridge Rail Link project is plagued by a sinister problem: rampant theft.

With numerous stations along the 169-kilometre line unmanned and eerily deserted, thieves have been exploiting the lack of security to steal valuable fittings, signalling cables, and even station equipment, jeopardising train operations and passenger safety.

Bangladesh Railway Director General Md Afzal Hossain acknowledged the issue, stating, “Incidents of theft on the new rail line have come to our attention. However, people involved in the project have taken protective measures to ensure that equipment is not stolen. So, the trains are running safely.”

The thieves, emboldened by the lack of security, have been targeting the new rail line with increasing frequency. Incidents of theft have been reported from Mawa, Nimtala, and Padma station areas, as well as smaller, more isolated locations.

The stolen items range from signaling materials and copper wire to essential track components like ERC, rail clips, and fish plates. Even station buildings haven’t been spared, with thieves making off with glass, grills, and bathroom fittings.

Railway officials suspect that local residents are behind these thefts, drawn by the allure of easily accessible and valuable materials. While no major accidents have occurred yet, the thefts pose a serious threat to the uninterrupted movement of trains and raise concerns about passenger safety.

Najnin Ara Keya, project director of the Padma Bridge Rail Link, acknowledged the security challenges.

“The contractor was responsible for safety and security during construction,” she explained, “but since they’ve handed over the line to us, that responsibility has shifted. Unfortunately, we haven’t received approval to hire the necessary manpower, leaving us ill-equipped to protect the infrastructure.”

To address the immediate concerns, the project has resorted to hiring temporary security personnel through a consultancy firm. These individuals patrol stations and critical areas, acting as a makeshift deterrent.

However, this is a temporary solution, as the consultancy contract is tied to the project’s June 2025 deadline. Without a permanent workforce, the problem of theft is likely to persist.

The lack of manpower extends beyond security.

Fourteen new stations have been built under the project, and six existing ones have been upgraded. However, required manpower has not been recruited yet to run these new stations. Bangladesh Railway has not yet received approval from the Ministry of Public Administration to create the required 1,680 posts.

This has forced the railway authorities to operate some stations with temporary staff, a precarious arrangement that offers little long-term security.

The absence of a permanent workforce not only compromises security but also hinders the efficient operation of the rail line.

Unmanned stations are more vulnerable to theft and vandalism, while the lack of trained personnel can lead to delays and disruptions in train services.

The situation has drawn criticism from passenger advocacy groups.

 Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury, Secretary-General of the Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, expressed concern over the government’s apparent neglect of the new rail line. “They built the line, but now they’re citing shortages of engines and employees,” he lamented.

“This is unacceptable. The authorities must prioritize public safety and address the critical security issues.”