Automatic signals will be introduced at highway rail crossings: Minister

In wake of the fatal bus-train collision in Comilla, Agriculture, Livestock and Food Minister Aminur Rashid has announced to start automatic signal systems at railway crossings on the country's highways as soon as possible.

He said that a proper investigation into the accident, compensation for the victims and better treatment will be ensured.

The minister said this while visiting the accident site in Paduarbazar Bishwa Road area of ​​Cumilla around 11am on Sunday (March 22).

He said that several investigation committees have already been formed to investigate the cause of this tragic accident. He also mentioned that advanced treatment will be provided to the seriously injured in Dhaka or abroad as per their needs.

The minister also announced to immediately provide a grant of Tk 25,000 to the families of the deceased as the cost of taking the bodies home.

After visiting the accident site, he went to Cumilla Medical College Hospital to inquire about the injured and talked to the doctors about the progress of their treatment.

A mail train from Chattogram to Dhaka hit a passenger bus of Mamun Paribahan at the Paduarbazar rail crossing in Cumilla around 3am on Saturday. The bus was thrown about half a kilometer away. Although the bodies of 7 people were initially recovered in the accident, the death toll later rose to 12.

In this incident, rail communication with Chattogram across the country was temporarily suspended and returned to normal after about five hours. After the accident, the railway authorities have formed two investigation committees and a relief train was brought from Akhaura to recover the train.