Train disaster in Gazipur disrupts rail connection between Dhaka and northern regions
On the evening of 9 August 2021, around 8:40–8:50 pm, a Dhaka-bound intercity train, the Padma Express, derailed near the northern side of Joydebpur Railway Junction in Gazipur[1][2][4]. The incident occurred when the train was about to enter Joydebpur Railway Station.
The derailment involved the train's engine and one coach, causing the locomotive and a compartment to go off the track. As a result, rail traffic between Dhaka and the northern districts was disrupted, snapping the vital rail link on the Dhaka-Rajshahi route. Train services were suspended on this corridor until the tracks were cleared[1][2][3].
Pedestrians were forced to navigate by walking alongside the tracks due to the derailment, and some even had to crawl under the stationary train to cross. Vehicles were stranded due to the derailment, causing significant interruptions to rail communication.
The senior Station Master, Abul Khair Chowdhury, confirmed the derailment and stated that the accident occurred due to an incorrect signal during a track change[1][2][4]. The Padma Express is a broad-gauge train, and it appears that just before entering the station, the train mistakenly entered a meter-gauge line.
Authorities have been informed about the derailment, and a relief train has been dispatched to recover the derailed engine and coach. In the meantime, broad-gauge trains are being rerouted via the alternative track of the dual-gauge double line between Dhaka and Joydebpur to maintain some level of service.
Once the tracks are cleared, train operations will resume on both lines, restoring the vital rail link between Dhaka and the northern districts.
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58083343 [2] https://www.thedailystar.net/city/news/train-derails-near-joydebpur-railway-junction-1981881 [3] https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2021/08/09/padma-express-derails-near-joydebpur-railway-junction [4] https://www.unb.com.bd/news/2021/08/09/padma-express-derails-near-joydebpur-railway-junction-trains-operations-suspended
The derailment has led to disruptions in the transportation sector, causing delays for vehicular traffic on the Dhaka-Rajshahi route. The finance industry may be impacted as well due to the potential losses suffered by businesses relying on supply chains dependent on rail transportation.
The incident on the Padma Express, a broad-gauge train in the automotive industry, highlights the importance of ensuring safety and efficient coordination between various modes of transportation in the larger industrial landscape.
