Train traffic has returned to normal after the Dhaka-Khulna route was closed for about 7 hours through one line due to a collision between two freight trains at Ishwardi in Pabna.
Pakshi Western Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Shah Sufi Noor Mohammad confirmed this information on Wednesday (March 27) around 7:30 AM.
He said that after about seven hours, two coaches of two derailed trucks were rescued. After that train movement from Ishwardi to Dhaka and Khulna became normal.
Earlier, at 11:50 pm on Tuesday night, two coaches of an oil-carrying freight train derailed at Ishwardi Junction station in Pabna. Khulna railway communication with Dhaka was stopped. However, there were no casualties.
Md. Nasiruddin, Commercial Officer of Western Pakshi Divisional Railway, said that an oil-carrying train stopped at Ishwardi Junction station on its way to Khulna after unloading oil at Parbatipur. At the time of the incident, a freight train loaded with stones stopped at the same station on its way from India to Dhaka.
At that time, the stone-laden train collided with the oil train while shunting (carriage from one line to another line). Then the engine of the oil train and a carriage of the freight train derailed. Then the rescue train from Ishwardi locomotive went and worked to rescue the coach.
Pakshi Western Divisional Railway Manager Shah Sufi Noor Mohammad said that a four-member investigation committee has been formed to look into the train derailment incident. The members of the committee are Divisional Senior Assistant Signal Engineer, Assistant Transport Officer, Assistant Mechanical Engineer and Assistant Engineer.
The committee has been directed to submit the inquiry report within the next three working days. Besides, initially the freight train driver, Assistant driver and on-duty Assistant station master have been suspended.