Train traffic normalised in northern region after 22 hours

Train traffic in the northern region of Bangladesh has returned to normal after a 22-hour disruption following the derailment of the Chilahati-bound Nil Sagar Express in the Bagbari area near Santahar, Bogura.

The incident occurred around 2:00 pm on Wednesday when the train, departing from Dhaka and carrying many Eid holiday passengers, derailed shortly after leaving Santahar Junction, causing nine coaches to go off the tracks. 

This halted rail services on key northern routes connecting Dhaka to areas like Nilphamari, Dinajpur, Panchagarh, and others, stranding thousands of travellers during the busy Eid period.

Rescue operations began promptly, with relief trains arriving from Ishwardi in the evening and from Parbatipur, enabling teams to work through the night. 

After removing the derailed coaches and completing necessary repairs to the track, services resumed on Thursday morning. 

The first train to operate was the Khulna-bound Border Express which departed Chilahati at 11:20 am with passengers.

Chief Engineer Ahmed Hossain Masum of the Western Region Railways noted that while the line is now operational, trains will proceed at reduced speed through the affected section as minor construction work continues. He expressed regret over the accident occurring just before Eid.

Railway authorities have suspended Santahar Assistant Station Master Shahidul Islam Ranju temporarily for alleged negligence and formed a four-member investigation committee to determine the cause, which preliminary reports suggest may involve issues like signal misinterpretation or ongoing line repairs. 

Reports indicate between 66 and over 100 passengers were injured, many from panic or jumping off overcrowded rooftops, though no fatalities were reported.