Mymensingh Mail train resumes service on Bhairab-Mymensingh route after six-day suspension
Photo Collected
The Mymensingh Mail train resumed operations on the Bhairab-Mymensingh railway route Sunday evening, ending a six-day suspension caused by a critical locomotive shortage. The train, commonly referred to as the Nasirabad Mail by local commuters, departed from Chittagong for Ibrahimabad at 7:17 p.m., approximately three hours behind its scheduled 4:15 p.m. departure time.
Railway officials confirmed that the service was restored using a refurbished locomotive. The suspension, which began on August 24, had severely disrupted travel for passengers across 27 stations along the Bhairab-Mymensingh corridor. The service is a vital lifeline for low-income workers and daily commuters who rely on the affordable fares, with travel costs significantly lower than road transport alternatives.
The reinstatement followed recent media reports highlighting the hardships faced by travelers due to the gradual cancellation of local and mail trains on this route. Historically, six trains served this line; however, four local services and one mail train were permanently suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mymensingh Mail had been the sole remaining link for thousands of passengers.
Sadekur Rahman, Chief Mechanical Engineer (East) of Bangladesh Railway, stated that the decision to prioritize the restoration of the Nasirabad Mail was driven by the urgent needs of the local workforce. He noted that while several locomotives are currently undergoing repairs, one refurbished unit has been deployed to sustain the service for the time being.
The sudden decision to resume operations caught many station staff by surprise, as information regarding the train’s return had not been communicated to station masters in advance. This lack of coordination caused delays in preparing carriages for service and prevented passengers from receiving timely notification. Consequently, passenger volume on the inaugural trip was roughly half the usual capacity.
Yusuf, the station master at Bhairab, acknowledged that the train’s late arrival—reaching Bhairab station at 3:30 a.m. Monday—contributed to the lower turnout. However, he expressed confidence that ridership will normalize once the public is fully aware that the service has returned.
For many laborers, the restoration of the line is a significant financial relief. Rais Uddin, a 50-year-old agricultural worker from Atharbari, said that traveling to Bhairab by road had cost him 250 taka, an expense he would have avoided had the train been running.
Regarding the long-term viability of the route, Mohammad Shafiqur Rahman, Chief Operating Superintendent (East) of Bangladesh Railway, noted that the resumption was a necessity despite the existing equipment challenges. When asked if the service would remain permanent, he stated that the Nasirabad Mail will continue to run as long as the current locomotive remains operational, though he cautioned that future technical failures could force further changes to the schedule.
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