Train Derailment in Kurigram Followed by Rescue Train Derailment

In Kurigram, a rescue train sent to recover a derailed train also went off the tracks. The incidents occurred on Sunday afternoon in the Rasulpur area of Ulipur Upazila.

Two trains derailed on the Kurigram-Chilmari railway within a single day. Around 12 PM on Sunday, a train named "Ramna Local" derailed in Rasulpur, near Balabari Railway Station in Ulipur Upazila’s Tabakpur Union, en route to Chilmari. Later, at around 4:30 PM, a relief train dispatched from Lalmonirhat to recover the derailed train also derailed after passing the Panchpeer Railway Station in Ulipur. The operators of both trains confirmed the incidents.

Riyajul Islam, the operator of the Ramna Local, stated that the train, traveling from Parbatipur to Ramna Station in Chilmari, derailed when four wheels of the guard rack’s bogie went off the tracks near Rasulpur, close to Balabari Station. The train was scheduled to depart from Ramna Station for Rangpur at 12:10 PM. He noted that the railway track from Panchpeer to Chilmari lacks ballast stones, and despite operating at a speed of only 12 kilometers per hour, the derailment occurred. Anowar Hossain, the operator of the relief train, said that the rescue train, consisting of seven bogies, departed from Lalmonirhat and derailed between Panchpeer and Ulipur stations. By evening, the train was brought back onto the tracks and is currently stationed at Ulipur Railway Station. An inspection of the Panchpeer Railway Station area revealed that the railway track lacks ballast stones throughout its length and is laid directly on the soil. In many places, sleepers have sunk into the ground. Although some soil has been added beneath the tracks in certain areas, the absence of guide walls has caused the soil to wash away during rainfall. An anonymous railway official stated that the railway track from Panchgachhi to Ramna Station has been hazardous for a long time. Despite limiting train speeds to 15 kilometers per hour, normal operations are not feasible. Without urgent repairs, a major accident could occur at any time. According to sources from the Lalmonirhat Railway Division, a tender worth Tk 31 crore was issued nearly a year ago for the repair of this railway track. Although Bishwas Construction was awarded the contract, no work on installing sleepers or ballast stones has started even after more than a year. Only some soil filling and repairs to a few bridges have been completed, leaving the railway track in a risky condition. Rubel Mia, the manager of Bishwas Construction, stated that a shortage of sleepers has delayed the completion of the repair work. However, he mentioned that some sleepers are expected to arrive next month, and the repair work from Durgapur to Ulipur will be completed once they are received.

Abu Hena Mostafa Alam, the Divisional Railway Manager of Lalmonirhat, told Prothom Alo on Sunday evening that repair work on the railway track at Ramna Bazar Station in Chilmari is ongoing. Ballast stones are being removed, and sleepers are being installed, which may have contributed to the accidents. The Railway Engineering Department has assured that the track will be suitable for intercity train operations by December.