Frequent Engine Failures, Fires, and Derailments Plague Dhaka-Mymensingh Rail Route

The Dhaka-Mymensingh-Jamalpur railway route is experiencing a surge in operational failures, including engine fires, breakdowns, and derailments, leading to significant delays and passenger distress. In June alone, two trains derailed and three engines malfunctioned. May saw eight engine failures, and April recorded six. Recent incidents include a coupling failure on the Jamalpur Express and a fire on the Bijoy Express engine, causing hours of disruption. Officials attribute these issues to aging engines and deteriorating track infrastructure, with multiple repair attempts often preceding full overhauls. The shortage of functional engines has led to the cancellation of several train services.

This highlights critical infrastructure failures impacting public transportation reliability and passenger safety in Bangladesh.