Fears grow over smooth Eid train journey amid engine shortage

Concerns are growing about whether Bangladesh Railway can ensure a smooth Eid-ul-Adha journey for thousands of holidaymakers amid an acute locomotive shortage that continues to disrupt train schedules across the country.

The problem became evident on Sunday (24 May), the second day of the Eid rush, when the Mymensingh-bound Bijoy Express left Chattogram Railway Station nearly two hours behind schedule. The train, scheduled to depart at 9:15am, finally left at 11:05am. Today (25 May), the delay was reduced to around one hour.

For passengers travelling to Mymensingh and Jamalpur, train travel is considered easier and cheaper than by road. But recurring delays have turned journeys into ordeals for many travellers.

The crisis is not limited to Bijoy Express. On 30 April, passengers at Kamalapur Railway Station staged protests after a Kishoreganj-bound train was delayed for nearly 2 hours because an engine did not arrive.

According to the transport department of the Eastern Zone [Chattogram] of Bangladesh Railway, nearly 2,000 trains departed late during the first three months of this year. Of them, 850 were intercity trains, nearly 800 mail and express services, and 350 local trains.

Farhan Mahmud, divisional transport officer of the zone, said once a train falls behind schedule, the disruption often continues for days.

"If Bijoy Express gets delayed once, the impact continues throughout the week because the same rake [a collection of carriages or wagons hooked together] and engine travel between Chattogram and Mymensingh. The shortage of engines and breakdowns of ageing locomotives are causing these disruptions," he told The Business Standard.

Railway data shows the locomotive crisis is most severe in the eastern zone, where 164 trains currently operate. To maintain schedules, the zone requires 119 locomotives. However, only around 80 engines are now operational, although 129 are listed officially. Many remain under repair, maintenance or are no longer usable.

Despite spending nearly Tk1 lakh crore on railway development over the past 12 years, the sector still suffers from a shortage of engines and coaches. Around 800 coaches and only 30 locomotives have been added to the fleet in the past decade, according to data served from the eastern zone.  

Officials say several newly procured heavy locomotives cannot operate on old railway bridges because of technical limitations. The government has also initiated a plan to import another 300 locomotives, though the process could take at least two years.

Meanwhile, engine failures during journeys continue to increase passenger suffering.

Last Sunday, the engine of Chattogram-bound Subarna Express broke down at Mondobhag Station in Brahmanbaria, leaving it stranded for around 40 minutes before repairs.

Earlier, on 1 May, the Sonar Bangla Express came to a halt near Akhaura because of engine trouble, causing a delay of nearly two hours.

According to railway data, engines in the eastern zone broke down 101 times during the first four months of this year. Of those incidents, 27 occurred in March during Eid-ul-Fitr travel, while 14 engine failures were recorded during the 16-day Eid travel period. Eight of those involved intercity trains. The remaining were mail express and freight trains.

Locomotives are not getting adequate rest or maintenance because of the shortage, while many have already exceeded their operational lifespan. Workshops also face shortages of skilled manpower and maintenance equipment, said sources.

Muhammed Shafiqur Rahaman, chief operating superintendent of the eastern zone, said the railway was trying to provide maximum service despite limited resources.

"We are operating with fewer engines, coaches and rakes than required. Some long-distance trains are facing delays, but we are trying to minimise disruptions and respond quickly whenever engines fail," he told TBS