Two train incidents in Cumilla halt Dhaka-Chattogram rail services

Rail communication between Chattogram and the rest of the country was disrupted for more than an hour today (24 June) after two separate train incidents in Cumilla brought movement on the busy Dhaka-Chattogram route to a standstill.

The disruption began when the engine of the Dhaka-bound Sonar Bangla Express developed a mechanical fault near Hasanpur Station in Nangalkot upazila at around 7:30pm. 

Shortly afterwards, four coaches of the Chandpur-bound Meghna Express derailed near Gunabati, further complicating the situation.

The back-to-back incidents left passengers stranded at several stations and suspended train operations on both the up and down lines.

Laksam Railway Station Master Omar Faruk told The Business Standard that rail communication between Chattogram and the rest of the country remained suspended for more than an hour following the incidents.

“Train operations will resume once either of the two tracks is reopened,” he said.

According to Nangalkot Station Master Jamal Uddin, the Sonar Bangla Express became stranded on the up line near Hasanpur Station after suffering an engine failure shortly after crossing Gunabati Station.

At around 8pm, the Meghna Express, travelling from Chattogram to Chandpur, derailed after passing Gunabati Station on the down line and heading towards Hasanpur.

“As a result, trains became stranded on both the up and down lines, bringing rail movement on the Dhaka-Chattogram route to a complete halt,” he said.

Railway officials said a relief train was dispatched from Chattogram to recover the disabled engine of the Sonar Bangla Express and the derailed coaches of the Meghna Express.

Recovery operations were expected to begin immediately after the relief train reached the site.

Omar Faruk said a replacement engine had already been sent from Chattogram for the Sonar Bangla Express.

“The four derailed coaches of the Meghna Express will remain at the site for the time being, while the remaining coaches are being taken to Laksam,” he said.

“Train services on the Dhaka-Chattogram route are expected to resume once the recovery work is completed,”  the station master added.