A string of engine failures, derailments and fire incidents within a month has exposed mounting safety concerns on the Dhaka-Mymensingh-Jamalpur railway route, with railway officials blaming aging locomotives and deteriorating tracks for the repeated disruptions.

The latest breakdowns have crippled train services on one of Bangladesh's busiest rail routes, leaving thousands of passengers stranded for hours and raising fresh questions over the maintenance of the country's aging railway infrastructure.

Bangladesh Railway data show that two trains derailed and three locomotives broke down in June alone. Eight engine failures were recorded in May and six in April, underscoring what officials describe as a worsening pattern of mechanical failures.

The most recent incident occurred on June 15, when the coupling connecting the locomotive and coaches of the intercity Jamalpur Express snapped near Gafargaon, separating the engine from the train and suspending services on the Dhaka-Mymensingh route for nearly two hours.

Hours earlier, the locomotive of the Chattogram-bound Bijoy Express caught fire near Atharabari in Ishwarganj, halting operations for almost three hours. 

A replacement locomotive dispatched to rescue the train also failed near Sararchar in Kishoreganj, while the locomotive shortage forced Bangladesh Railway to cancel the Mymensingh Express Mail service to Chattogram later that day.

The disruptions followed another series of incidents earlier in the month. A fire broke out in an air-conditioned coach of the Teesta Express at Mymensingh Railway Station on June 13, while the power car of the Brahmaputra Express derailed near Ananda Mohan College rail crossing on June 10. 

A rescue train sent to recover the derailed coach also left the tracks near Krishtapur, further complicating operations.

Railway officials say the recurring failures are rooted in an aging fleet and worn-out infrastructure.

"Most of the locomotives are decades old, and in many cases they return to service before undergoing complete repairs," Shafiul Hasan, an inspector at the Mymensingh locomotive shed told Daily Waadaa. 

"The condition of the tracks is also poor. Running trains at scheduled speeds places excessive stress on both the engines and the rail line, leading to repeated mechanical failures."

Hasan said railway authorities had repeatedly urged the relevant departments to rehabilitate the corridor but the required maintenance work had yet to be carried out.

Officials say the track itself has become another major safety concern, with shortages of ballast, sleepers and fastening bolts weakening large sections of the line and increasing the risk of derailments.

Senior Assistant Executive Engineer Nazmul Hasan said locomotive failures had become routine because most engines had exceeded their operational lifespan.

"New locomotives must be procured urgently, while the railway line from Sripur through Mymensingh to Bidyaganj, Gauripur, Atharabari, Mohanganj and Jaria requires comprehensive rehabilitation," he told Waadaa.

He added that the shortage of ballast was placing additional pressure on the tracks, increasing the risk of structural damage.

"The rehabilitation of the corridor would improve both safety and train speeds. Eastern Railway is preparing a project to upgrade the line," he said.

Passengers say delays have become routine despite the corridor serving one of the country's largest commuter populations and generating substantial railway revenue.

"The old railway line has remained neglected even though it is one of the busiest routes," a passenger said.

Mymensingh Railway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Akhtar Hossain also attributed most mechanical failures to aging locomotives.

"The motors of these old engines have weakened over time. Continuous operation causes them to overheat, eventually leading to engine failure," he said.

He said many sections of the existing rail line no longer meet current operational demands and require phased replacement and modernization.

Railway sources said 18 pairs of trains currently operate on the Dhaka, Jamalpur, Netrokona and Chattogram routes through the Mymensingh region, including eight intercity, four commuter, one mail and five local services.

However, shortages of locomotives and coaches have forced the long-term suspension of the Bhawal and Dhaleshwari mail trains, two local services to Mohanganj and one local train to Dewanganj.

Railway experts say years of prioritizing new rail projects over the maintenance of existing infrastructure have left critical corridors increasingly vulnerable to mechanical failures and operational disruptions. 

They warn that without large-scale investment in replacing aging locomotives and rehabilitating worn-out tracks, recurring breakdowns and safety risks are likely to persist on the Dhaka-Mymensingh-Jamalpur corridor.

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