As Bogura prepares for a high-profile visit by the Prime Minister on April 20, urban planners and residents are renewing a major demand: moving the British-era railway line outside the city center to end decades of traffic paralysis.
Bogura the "gateway to the north" is on the verge of a massive transformation. Ambitious plans for a city corporation a public university, and an international airport are already in motion. However experts argue that the colonial-era railway which cuts through the heart of the city remains the biggest hurdle to modern urban planning.
Data shows that with 18 trains operating daily, key level crossings are frequently closed, causing gridlock on main roads for hours. "Traffic congestion increases several times over whenever the gates are closed" said Md. Ataur Rahman, Additional Superintendent of Bogura Traffic Police.
Urban planners suggest a long-term solution: relocating the tracks to follow the city's bypass roads, connecting at the Raninagar Railway Junction. "A railway in the city center is no longer compatible with a densely populated commercial hub like Bogura" explained Municipality Executive Engineer Md. Wahidur Rahman.
During the upcoming visit, the Prime Minister is expected to address a rally at Altafunnesa Playground. Residents and civil society leaders including Naogaon University VC Professor Dr. Mohammad Hasanat Ali, hope for a formal announcement on the railway relocation to finally transform Bogura into a modern traffic-free city.
