Bogie failure halts train services across northern Bangladesh

Train services on several routes in northern Bangladesh were disrupted on Saturday (August 22) after a bogie of the Barendra Express broke down in Joypurhat, narrowly averting a major accident involving hundreds of passengers.

The incident took place around 8:40am near Puranapul area when the Chilahati-bound-to-Rajshahi train (732) passed the Puranapul railway crossing. A coil spring and part of the body of one of its bogies reportedly broke and dropped onto the track, forcing the train to come to an emergency stop.

Train officials said the problem was detected quickly, allowing the driver and train manager to stop the service before a major accident occurred.

"Since we noticed the broken spring quickly, we were able to stop the train," Barendra Express manager Anwar Hossain said, adding that the prompt action saved the train and its passengers from a potentially serious accident.

The breakdown has disrupted train movement on several northern routes, including those connecting Parbatipur, Santahar, Rajshahi and Dhaka. Several passenger trains have reportedly been stranded at different stations, causing significant inconvenience to travellers.

Railway authorities have been informed and a relief train was dispatched from the Parbatipur-Santahar junction area to remove the disabled train and restore communication.

Railway officials said normal services would resume after the relief operation is completed, although no specific timeline was immediately available.