Rajshahi, Oct 07 (V7N) — The Western Railway in Bangladesh is facing a severe operational crisis, with multiple train services and stations suspended over the past few years. Despite efforts to address the challenges, passengers continue to suffer from a lack of services, overcrowding, and ticketing issues.

According to official railway information, 23 trains have been discontinued in the past three years due to various issues, including financial losses, engine and crew shortages, and concerns about station security. On September 28, 2024, a notice signed by Abdul Awal, the Assistant Chief Operating Superintendent of Railways, confirmed the suspension of these services.

The Sirajganj Express was halted on August 15 following damage caused by vandalism and fire at the Sirajganj Bazar station. Additionally, several other services, such as the Chandana-Bhanga Commuter , Uttara Express , and local trains on the Ishwardi-Dhaka route, have been suspended due to low passenger revenue and fears of further vandalism.

A severe lack of engines, coaches, and crew has also forced the closure of other key local and mixed services, including:

- Local-515
- Local-511/512
- Local-541/542
- Local-591/592
- Local-411/412
- Local-453/454
- Local-431/434
- Local-481/482
- Local-415/416/421/422
- Mixed-451/452
- Mixed-432/433
- Mixed-413/414

Moreover, the Rangpur Commuter and Panchagarh Commuter have been taken off service for necessary repairs, adding to the strain on passengers who now face increased congestion on the remaining intercity services.

Adding to the woes, 54 stations in the Western Railway zone have been closed, reportedly due to a shortage of manpower. Out of 175 stations in the region, only 121 remain operational. The closure of these stations has led to significant difficulties for passengers, including a lack of ticketing services, forcing travelers to either board trains without tickets or buy them onboard, causing further confusion and delays. Passengers traveling without tickets is another issue contributing to revenue loss for the railways.

Passengers have expressed anger and frustration over the continued suspension of services, as the reduced number of trains has caused overcrowding and delays. There has been little communication from the authorities about when or if these services will be restored.

In response, Western Railway General Manager Abdul Awal Bhuiyan acknowledged the closures but added that efforts are underway to address the situation. "I don’t remember the specific details of the closed stations and trains at this moment, but we have managed to reopen some stations. However, the problem remains—we are facing a manpower shortage. Although some trains have been stopped, we’ve introduced new ones to maintain services," Bhuiyan stated.

Despite these assurances, the ongoing disruption of services in the Western Railway zone continues to pose serious challenges to passengers who rely on the rail network for daily commuting and long-distance travel.

The current state of the Western Railway has become a source of growing concern, with both passengers and officials acknowledging the need for urgent reforms. As the railway system plays a crucial role in Bangladesh's transportation network, restoring normalcy is vital to ensure that the public can travel smoothly without unnecessary delays or overcrowding.

Passengers are calling for immediate action to address the operational issues, open closed stations, and restore suspended trains to ease their suffering.

END/RA/AJ