State Minister for Road Transport and Highways Division and Railways Habibur Rashid today inspected the submerged railway section on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar rail track. The inspection followed a directive from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Nearly 500 metres of track at Shamsher Para between Janali Hat and Sholoshahar stations have gone under water due to heavy rainfall and water surges over the past several days.
Situation Review and Directives
During the visit, the state minister reviewed the overall railway operating situation, passenger services, and safety measures on the spot. He directed the authorities concerned to take necessary measures to ensure safe and uninterrupted travel for passengers once the situation normalizes.
Service Suspension and Passenger Arrangements
Heavy rainfall and water surges submerged nearly 500 metres of the railway track in the affected section, forcing Bangladesh Railway to suspend train services between Chattogram and Cox's Bazar until further instructions. The Parjotak Express train, which left Dhaka for Cox's Bazar yesterday, cancelled its onward journey from Chattogram to Cox's Bazar and will depart Chattogram for Dhaka again at 4:00 pm today.
Train services on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar route will resume after the water recedes and the railway track is inspected following the end of the natural disaster situation. Bangladesh Railway has arranged to bring back by train passengers who were stranded on the way after being unable to reach their destinations.
Refunds and Official Presence
Passengers wishing to receive refunds have been requested to collect the fare from the counters of the respective stations. Ticket holders of other suspended journeys will also be able to receive refunds from the respective station counters.
Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain, Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr Md Ziauddin, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam, Bangladesh Railway East Zone General Manager Mohammad Subaktagin and other senior officials of Bangladesh Railway were present during the inspection.
Public Apology and Future Steps
Bangladesh Railway has expressed its sincere regret for the disruption to passengers' rail travel caused by the unexpected situation resulting from the sudden natural disaster. The resumption of services is contingent upon the receding of floodwaters and a thorough inspection of the affected rail track.
