Train Services Disrupted in Bangladesh After Locomotive Failure

Rail services connecting Chattogram with the rest of Bangladesh experienced significant disruption for approximately two hours on Tuesday evening. The Dhaka-bound Sonar Bangla Express suffered a mechanical failure near Chinki Astana station around 7:35 pm, leaving it stranded on the main line.

The breakdown not only halted the Sonar Bangla Express but also impacted the movement of other trains. The Chandpur-bound Meghna Express, among others, faced delays due to the obstruction. This incident occurred despite the Sonar Bangla Express already departing Chattogram Railway Station over an hour behind its scheduled time.

Railway officials managed the situation by using the locomotive from the Meghna Express to push the disabled train onto a loop line at Chinki Astana. This cleared the main line, allowing other services to resume. Subsequently, a relief locomotive was dispatched from Pahartali to attach to the Sonar Bangla Express.

The Sonar Bangla Express eventually resumed its journey at 9:45 pm. However, passengers on multiple trains experienced considerable delays. Parveen Akter, a passenger on the Meghna Express, reported arriving at her destination around 10:30 pm, more than an hour later than her original 9:00 pm schedule. Divisional Train Controller Hasan Mohiuddin confirmed the incident, noting that the Sonar Bangla Express ultimately faced a delay of over three hours, factoring in its initial late departure from Chattogram.

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We were supposed to reach our destination at 9:00pm, but arrived around 10:30pm.