Collision Between Train, Sand-Laden Truck Disrupts Dhaka-Chattogram Rail Link

A collision occurred between the Sylhet-bound "Paharika Express" train and a sand-laden truck at an unprotected railway crossing between Barotakia and Chinki Astana in Mirsharai, Chattogram. The accident took place around 8:55 AM on Sunday. Although no casualties were reported, train services on the Dhaka-Chattogram and Chattogram-Sylhet routes have been severely disrupted. Train movement was completely halted for nearly two hours following the collision. While the Dhaka-bound (up) line was later cleared, the Chattogram-bound (down) line remained closed as of the filing of this report.

According to railway and local sources, the Paharika Express, which had departed from Chattogram, struck a sand-laden truck that had moved onto the tracks at an unprotected level crossing around 8:45 AM. The impact caused the truck to tilt and fall onto the railway line, creating an obstruction. However, due to the low speed of both the train and the truck, no major damage or casualties occurred. All passengers on the train were unharmed and safe.

Efforts to remove the sand-laden truck from the railway line began immediately after the accident. The up line (Dhaka-bound) was cleared around 10:40 AM, after which the Paharika Express resumed its journey toward Sylhet. However, as the down line (Chattogram-bound) remains closed, several trains heading to and from Dhaka and Chattogram have been stranded at various stations. Among them, the Chattogram-bound "Bijoy Express" is stuck at Chinki Astana station, and the intercity "Sonar Bangla Express" is stranded at Feni station, leaving hundreds of passengers in distress.

Farhan Mahmud, Divisional Transport Officer (DTO) of Railway Eastern Zone, said around 11:00 AM: "The railway line was blocked due to the collision between the sand-laden truck and the train. Our workers worked quickly and took about two hours to clear the up line (Dhaka-bound). The Paharika Express has since departed. Work is currently underway at full speed to clear the down line (Chattogram-bound). We expect train movement on this line to resume shortly."

Rafiqul Hasan, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chattogram Railway Police Station, confirmed the incident and said: "The sand-laden truck tilted and fell after being struck by the Paharika Express at an unprotected railway crossing. Train movement was temporarily halted as a result. Signals and the line have now been partially restored. There have been no casualties, and police remain at the scene."