Swapan Kumar singh :

Rail communication between Sylhet and the rest of the country remained suspended for nearly six hours after the engine of the Paharika Express broke down in Magurchhara area of Kamalganj upazila in Moulvibazar on Saturday (February 7).

The Sylhet–Chattogram-bound Paharika Express developed an engine failure around 12:30 pm between Bhanugachh and Sreemangal railway stations, leaving the train stranded in a hilly area. As a result, rail services on the Sylhet–Chattogram and Sylhet–Dhaka routes came to a complete halt.

Bhanugachh Railway Station Master Gour Prasad Das confirmed the matter, saying that after the engine failure, an alternative engine from the Jayantika Express was sent to rescue the stranded train. However, during the coupling process, the hook snapped, further complicating the rescue operation and prolonging the suspension of train services.

Passengers suffered severe inconvenience as the train remained stuck for hours in the hilly region. Many passengers reportedly fell ill due to the prolonged delay. The sufferings of children, elderly passengers and women were particularly severe. While some passengers waited at railway stations for hours, others were forced to reach their destinations late at night.

Passengers of the Paharika Express alleged that for a long time, trains have been operating with weak engines in the Lawachhara and surrounding hilly areas. Despite repeated incidents of trains failing to climb hills, the authorities have allegedly failed to take effective measures.

According to the station master, the scheduled departure time of the Paharika Express from Bhanugachh station was 12:30 pm, but due to the engine failure and repair complications, the train finally departed at 9:33 pm, leaving it 9 hours and 3 minutes behind schedule.

Meanwhile, the Dhaka-bound Parabat Express, which was scheduled to depart at 5:40 pm, left Bhanugachh station at 9:58 pm, resulting in a delay of approximately 4 hours and 18 minutes.

Following the incident, a relief train was dispatched from Akhaura railway station to the spot. After a lengthy rescue and repair operation, train movement gradually returned to normal. Railway authorities later confirmed that rail communication between Sylhet and the rest of the country has now been restored.