Train services resume on Ctg–Cox's Bazar route after five-day suspension

Train services on the Chattogram–Cox's Bazar railway resumed on Sunday (July 12) after remaining suspended for five days due to heavy rainfall and flash floods that submerged sections of the track.

The first train to resume operations, the Parjatak Express, departed Chattogram Railway Station at 1:35pm for Cox's Bazar. Meanwhile, the Prabal Express, which had been stranded at Janalihat Railway Station, was safely brought back to Chattogram.

Before operations resumed, Bangladesh Railway East Zone General Manager Md. Subaktagin inspected the repaired rail line at Sholoshahar Railway Station alongside senior railway officials.

Speaking to reporters, Subaktagin said record rainfall had inundated the railway tracks in Chattogram. Under close government supervision, emergency repair work was carried out by raising the damaged sections of the line with stone ballast by nearly one foot, allowing services to restart after round-the-clock restoration work on Saturday.

Divisional Transport Officer (DTO) Farhan Mahmud of the Railway East Zone said the track has now been declared safe for train operations.

Heavy monsoon rain, triggered by an active seasonal weather system, began affecting Chattogram on July 4. By Tuesday, sections of the railway between Sunniya Madrasa and Shamsherpara were submerged under 1.5 to 2 feet of water, forcing the suspension of rail services between Dhaka, Chattogram and Cox's Bazar.

A Dhaka-bound Parjatak Express became stranded near Sunniya Madrasa and was later taken back to Sholoshahar and then Chattogram Railway Station before its journey was officially cancelled.

The Chattogram–Cox's Bazar route operates four pairs of trains daily—two from Chattogram and two from Dhaka—serving approximately 8,000 to 9,000 passengers each day. The five-day disruption caused significant inconvenience for thousands of travelers.