GAURIPUR, MYMENSINGH, Mar 6: Several local train services in Mymensingh have remained suspended due to a shortage of engines, causing immense suffering for passengers who depend on the routes for daily travel.
Local residents and commuters have organised human chains, rallies and submitted memorandums demanding the immediate resumption of the services. However, railway authorities say the trains cannot be restarted due to a lack of available engines.
According to local sources, the suspended train services on the Mymensingh-Mohanganj and Mymensingh-Bhairab routes were widely used by middle-class commuters, including government and private employees, traders and students.
Sources at Gauripur Railway Junction said, local trains on the Mymensingh-Bhairab route have remained suspended since the Covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the local train operating on the Mohanganj-Mymensingh route has been out of service since May 31 last year.
Officials at Mymensingh Railway Station said, the rail distance between Mymensingh and Mohanganj station in Netrakona District is about 68.5 kilometres. Currently, two intercity trains-Haor Express and Mohanganj Express-operate on the Mohanganj-Dhaka route.
Previously, the route also had one local train and one commuter train. The down local train used to depart from Mymensingh station for Mohanganj at 5:40 am and 2:10 pm daily. In return, trains would leave Mohanganj for Mymensingh at 8:30 am and 5:30 pm.
Railway officials said the local train service on the route has remained suspended due to a technical problem with its engine. The engine has been sent to Chattogram for repairs. The train service will resume once the repair work is completed, although officials could not specify when the engine would be ready.
Meanwhile, the local train services on the Mymensingh-Bhairab route have also remained suspended for several years, causing similar difficulties for commuters.
Passengers have organised human chains and protest gatherings at several stations, demanding the reopening of the suspended train services.
The Superintendent of Mymensingh Railway Station said, the local train services on both the Mohanganj and Bhairab routes have been halted due to the engine shortage.
"We will be able to resume the services once engines become available," he added.
