Relief train sent to rescue derailed Ramna Local also derails

The Ramna Local train derailed near Rasulpur area in Ulipur’s Tabakpur Union on the Kurigram-Chilmari rail route around noon on Sunday. The train went off the tracks just north of Balabari Railway Station in Chilmari, causing disruption in rail services.

Efforts to rescue the stranded Ramna Local train took a setback when the relief train, dispatched from Lalmonirhat, also derailed near Panchpir Railway Station in Ulipur around 4:30 pm. Railway workers are currently working on recovering the relief train, according to reports at 5 pm.

Riyazul Islam, conductor of the Ramna Local, confirmed the derailment, stating that four wheels of the guard brake bogie had come off the rails. The train was scheduled to depart Ramna Station at 12:10 pm en route to Rangpur. Anwar Hossain, conductor of the relief train, also verified the second derailment and said the rescue operation was underway.

Officials cited the absence of track ballast (stones) between Panchpir and Ramna stations as a critical factor. “The track lacks stones, and despite operating trains at a slow speed of 12 km/h, derailments have occurred,” Riyazul Islam said.

An on-site inspection revealed sleepers embedded directly in soil without proper ballast, increasing the risk of instability. Local railway sources noted that although repair tenders were called over a year ago and a contractor appointed, comprehensive maintenance work—especially track and sleeper replacement and ballast laying—has yet to be completed.

Bazlur Rahman, Senior Assistant Engineer of Lalmonirhat Railway Division, said repair work began with an estimated budget of Tk 31 crore but remains unfinished. Due to safety concerns, the speed limit on this section was reduced to 15 km/h, yet accidents persist. “The exact cause will be determined after investigation,” he added.

Railway employees familiar with the line warned of ongoing safety risks, emphasizing the urgent need for proper repairs to prevent potential major accidents.

Attempts to reach Lalmonirhat Divisional Railway Manager Abu Hena Mostafa Alam for comment were unsuccessful.