Rail communication with Sylhet resumes after 9 hours

Rail communication between Sylhet and the rest of the country has resumed after nine hours.

The communication was snapped due to the derailment of an oil-laden train at Dakshin Surma area in Sylhet around 10:30pm last night (15 February).

After a rescue operation, rail communication restarted after 8:30am this morning (16 February).

According to railway sources, the oil-laden wagon from Chattogram was derailed at Mogulbazar Rail Gate in Sylhet's Dakshin Surma area last night, snapping rail communication on the Chattogram-Sylhet route.

No train could leave or arrive at Sylhet station after the communication breakdown, causing immense suffering for travellers. They had to wait for long hours at the railway stations to travel to their destinations, especially Dhaka and Chattogram, railway sources added.

According to Sylhet Railway Station officials, the Upaban Express did not leave the station, although it was meant to depart at night, and many passengers had to spend the night at the station.

The Manager of Sylhet Railway Station, Nurul Islam, said, "The Upaban Express could not reach Sylhet from Dhaka due to the derailment of a wagon. The trip was cancelled, and passengers are getting their money back. However, the Kalni Express train departed from Dhaka has reached Sylhet station in the morning."

Meanwhile, the Railway official warned of a schedule change throughout the day even if rail communication remains normal.

The damaged rail tracks are currently being repaired. Railway sources said the rescue operation was conducted by relief trains.    

In the meantime, Nurul told journalists that a probe committee would be formed to determine the reasons behind the derailment.

"We have incurred huge damage to the derailment of one of the 14 oil-laden wagons. Necessary steps will be taken to prevent this type of incident in the future after the publication of the probe report dealing with the reasons behind the accident," Nurul said.