Once a lifeline, Amnura railway junction now neglected

Amnura railway junction in Chapainawabganj. UNB

Chapainawabganj, Jan 14  - For generations, Amnura railway junction has connected people, markets and livelihoods across Chapainawabganj and now this station stands worn and overlooked.

Established in 1909 as part of the Abdulpur–Malda railway line, the once-busy junction has gradually lost its significance.

The passenger shed at the station was declared abandoned around one and a half decades ago. Since then, travelers have been forced to wait for trains under the open sky, exposed to scorching heat, rain and cold.

The station area lacks even the most basic facilities, including safe drinking water, toilets and proper seating arrangements.

As a result, women, children, elderly passengers and the sick face extreme difficulties, particularly during the monsoon and winter seasons.

Local residents alleged that train stoppages at Amnura Junction have declined significantly since the construction of a bypass railway line. This has disrupted rail connectivity with the district town, increasing the suffering of students, office-goers and businesspeople.

Abdur Rakib, a passenger, said, “Once, this station was the main lifeline for people of the area. Now there are no facilities at all. We have to wait for trains in rain and sunshine without any shelter.”

Another passenger, Matiur Rahman, said that while online ticketing facilities are available at other stations in the district, Amnura Junction remains deprived of the service. “We are forced to come to the station and buy tickets physically. The authorities should introduce online ticket sales here as soon as possible,” he said.

Locals demanded immediate reconstruction of the passenger shed, installation of drinking water facilities, construction of toilets and an increase in train stoppages otherwise public suffering will increase further.

Amnura Junction Station Master Hasibul Hasan said the railway authorities have taken a plan to develop the station. “If the plan is implemented, passenger facilities will improve and infrastructural problems will be resolved,” he said.

However, uncertainty remains over when the development work will actually begin.

Passengers and local residents urged the authorities to take swift and effective steps to restore the lost importance of the century-old railway junction and ease the long-standing misery of commuters. - UNB