Train services resume on up line in Laksam after 24 hours
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Train services on the up line of the Dhaka to Chattogram railway route returned to normal nearly 24 hours after a train accident at Naoti Railway Station in Laksam, Cumilla.
Repair work on the damaged railway track was completed at around 8:30 am on Thursday (October 22). Later, at 12:20 pm, the engine and carriages of the derailed train were taken to Laksam Railway Junction. Md. Omar Faruk Bhuiyan, station master at Laksam Railway Junction, confirmed that the recovery of the train’s engine and carriages and the track repair work had been completed.
Earlier, at around 12:30 pm on Wednesday (October 21), the Karnaphuli Commuter train traveling from Chattogram to Dhaka derailed near the outer signal of Naoti Railway Station in Azgara Union of Laksam Upazila. The wheels of four carriages, including the engine, came off the tracks and the carriages tilted. At least 10 passengers were injured while rushing to get off the train. However, no one was killed in the incident.
A five member investigation committee has been formed to determine the cause of the accident. Farhan Mahmud, divisional transport officer of the railway’s eastern region, has been appointed head of the committee. The other members are Divisional Engineer Abu Imtiaz Rafi, Divisional Mechanical Engineers Abdullah Al Masud and Rezwanul Islam, and Divisional Signal and Telecommunications Engineer Ashikur Rahman.
Meanwhile, railway authorities said Golam Sarwar, senior sub assistant engineer (permanent way) working at Feni Railway Junction, has been temporarily suspended over allegations of negligence in his duties.
Moazzem Hossain, the driver of the Karnaphuli Commuter train, said he had not been informed that repair work was underway on the railway track at Naoti Railway Station. He said the train departed after receiving line clearance from Nangalkot Railway Station.
Farhan Mahmud, divisional transport officer of the railway’s eastern region and head of the investigation committee, said an investigation was underway to determine the actual cause of the accident. He said departmental action would be taken against those found responsible in accordance with railway regulations.
