Train movement on the Dhaka-bound up line of the vital Dhaka-Chittagong railway corridor resumed on Thursday (Oct 31) at 12:50 PM, more than 24 hours after the derailment of the Karnaphuli Commuter Express in Laksam upazila of Cumilla. The resumption of operations was marked by the Mymensingh-bound Bijoy Express from Chattogram successfully crossing the accident site, fully restoring normalcy to the up track following intensive overnight salvage and repair operations.
The disruption originated on Wednesday (Oct 30) at approximately 12:30 PM near the outer area of Naoti station adjacent to Azhgora Bazar in Laksam upazila, where three wheels of the engine and five carriages of the Karnaphuli Commuter Express veered off the tracks. The incident left at least seven passengers injured, all of whom sustained minor injuries and received local primary medical attention. While the up line remained entirely blocked in the wake of the accident, authorities maintained limited railway operations by routing trains from both directions through the down line, causing operational delays.
Salvage operations commenced on Wednesday evening after a relief train dispatched from Chattogram arrived at the scene. Railway work crews concluded the primary train rescue efforts around 5:00 AM on Thursday, followed by the completion of track reconstruction and repair works at 7:00 AM. Although the railway line itself was repaired by early morning, a derailed carriage remained stranded on the up line, preventing immediate train movement through the track.
To clear the obstruction, a specialized locomotive was deployed from Nangalkot station, arriving at the accident site at 11:40 AM. The engine successfully hauled away the remaining wreckage, returning to the Laksam Railway Junction by 11:55 AM. Prior to the full opening of the up line, down-line operations facilitated the passage of several key services, including the Chattala Express from Chattogram to Dhaka at 10:23 AM and the Paharika Express from Chattogram to Sylhet at 10:48 AM.
Confirming the restoration of normal services, Laksam Railway Junction Station Master Omar Faruque Bhuiyan stated that both lines are now fully operational and train movement has returned to its regular schedule.
