An unscrupulous group has been accused of forcibly halting construction on a shop legally allocated by railway authorities within the Akhaura Railway Junction premises. The allottee alleges that the obstruction is an attempt to safeguard the interests of local land grabbers, allowing them to continue running unauthorized businesses on railway property—a practice they have maintained for years.

According to railway sources and local officials, Inamul Haque Bhuiyan, a France-based expatriate, secured the shop allocation to open a modern, hygienic canteen for train passengers at Akhaura. After completing the formal procedures and taking possession of the site from railway authorities, he began construction.

However, trouble began shortly after work started. A group of local individuals—some claiming to be influential figures or media personnel—began harassing the workers and misleading local auto-rickshaw and CNG drivers to turn them against the project.

The group allegedly tried to mobilize the drivers to organize street protests and human chains demanding an immediate stop to the work. Once the situation was clarified, 17 auto-rickshaw drivers submitted a written statement to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) admitting they had been misled and detailing how they were incited to protest.

Speaking about the situation, Inamul Haque Bhuiyan said:

"I legally leased this shop space from the railway authorities to build a clean, high-quality canteen for passengers at Akhaura Railway Junction. Ever since I started construction, a few local miscreants have been trying to block the work. They have illegally occupied parts of the junction for years to run unauthorized auto-rickshaw stands, and now that I am developing a legally allotted plot, they are trying every trick in the book to stop me." He added, "Some people claiming to be journalists even tried to organize a human chain by intimidating local rickshaw and auto drivers. I followed every single rule to secure this allotment, and I just want to finish the project."

When asked about the dispute, Mainul Haque, Station Master at Akhaura Railway Junction, confirmed that Inamul Haque holds a valid, legal lease for the space. He noted that the railway administration has already filed formal complaints against those trying to block the construction.

Station Master Mainul Haque also stated that the authorities are fully aware of the illegal structures cluttering the junction grounds and plan to launch an eviction drive soon to clear the unauthorized land.

A visit to the Akhaura Railway Junction reveals a severe shortage of clean, reliable food options for travelers. The area currently relies on a handful of makeshift, dilapidated food stalls scattered across the station. Several of these makeshift shops operate right next to public toilets, raising serious public health and hygiene concerns.

Local residents say these temporary stalls and illegal structures slowly took over the railway land over time. Beyond creating an eyesore, the unhygienic conditions pose direct health risks to daily commuters.

Several locals noted that opening a modern, clean canteen through legal channels would be a huge improvement for passengers. They urged authorities to clear out the illegal shanties, clean up the junction, and create a safer, passenger-friendly environment.

Residents emphasized that the railway administration must take a firm stand against land grabbers using public space for personal profit. They called for direct legal action against anyone obstructing legally permitted construction, noting that illegal land grabbing on railway property is a widespread problem across Bangladesh that requires routine enforcement and strict oversight to protect public assets.