Train services to Kurigram halted for 10hrs

Train services to and from Kurigram remained suspended for around 10 hours on Thursday after a sand-laden truck overturned on the railway track at Rajarhat upazila, damaging a section of the rail line.

The accident occurred early in the morning near Advitakanan Filling Station on the Kurigram-Teesta railway route. 

Railway officials said the truck lost control, broke through a safety barrier and fell onto the track, causing damage to around 30 metres of rail line and several sleepers.

Following the accident, train movement on the route was suspended immediately, causing severe inconvenience to hundreds of passengers. The intercity Kurigram Express and Ramna Commuter train could not reach Kurigram Railway Station at their scheduled times, leaving many passengers stranded.

Passengers travelling to Dhaka and other destinations faced difficulties and many were forced to use alternative transport at additional costs. 

A railway engineering and rescue team reached the spot after receiving the news and started removing the truck and repairing the damaged track. A relief train from Lalmonirhat arrived at around 1:40PM to speed up the rescue and restoration work.

Rashedul Hasan, in-charge of Lalmonirhat relief train, said repair work began after the relief train arrived and train movement would resume after completion of repairs and necessary safety checks.

Railway authorities said the damaged section would be tested before restoring regular train operations on the route.

TZ