Barendra Express breaks down, train services disrupted

Train services in the northern region have been disrupted after the coil spring and body of a coach of the Chilahati-Rajshahi-bound Barendra Express (Train No. 732) broke down in the Puranapul area of Joypurhat on Saturday.

Hundreds of passengers narrowly escaped a major accident as the train developed the mechanical fault shortly after passing the Puranapul railway crossing, according to local residents and railway sources.

The Barendra Express, which had left Chilahati for Rajshahi in the morning, suddenly came to a halt after the coil spring and body of one of its coaches broke and dropped down, leaving the train stuck on the railway track.

Train guard Anwar Hossain said they noticed the problem immediately after the spring broke.
“Quick detection of the broken spring helped avert a major accident and saved the train and its passengers,” he said.

The sudden breakdown has disrupted train communication between the northern region and other parts of the country. Train services on routes connecting Parbatipur, Santahar, Rajshahi and Dhaka have also been affected.

Several passenger trains have reportedly become stranded at different nearby stations, causing severe suffering to passengers.

Following the incident, railway authorities contacted Parbatipur and Santahar junction stations and requested relief trains to remove the damaged train from the track.

A relief train has already left for the scene, according to the Barendra Express guard.
However, railway authorities could not immediately say when the rescue operation would be completed or when the Barendra Express would resume its journey.

They also could not confirm when train services in the northern region would return to normal.