MOKAMMEL SHUVO

With the launch of train services between Cox’s Bazar and Dhaka, tourism has entered a new era. At the same time, yaba traffickers have become increasingly active, choosing trains as a mode of transport.

To curb smuggling, Bangladesh Railway installed a US-made “Astrophysics” brand scanner machine at the main entrance of Cox’s Bazar Railway Station on August 4 -- the first such initiative in the country’s rail history. But sources said the machine has remained non-operational since its inauguration.

Locals had hoped drug trafficking through the railway would finally be brought under control. Instead, during a recent visit, passengers were seen freely entering the platform through the main gate while the scanner stood idle. Two workers from the station construction project were posted near the machine, while law enforcement members further ahead manually checked the luggage of some passengers.

The workers said the scanner was occasionally switched on but, in practice, security personnel relied mainly on hand-checking bags.

Cox’s Bazar Railway Station Manager Golam Rabbani said the machine was functional, but sometimes remained off.

He said no drugs had yet been seized using it.

Sources said the scanner was used only in the first couple of days after its inauguration and has since been left unused.

Contacted, ABM Kamruzzaman, Chattogram divisional railway manager, said in the initial stage, operation of scanning machine was hampered due to some complications over trained manpower and technical setup.

“But currently, as far as I know, the machine is fully operational,” he added.

Passenger train services on the Cox’s Bazar route began on December 1, 2023. Currently, Cox’s Bazar Express and Parjotak Express run on the Cox’s Bazar–Dhaka route, while Saikat Express and Probal Express operate between Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram.