A potentially catastrophic train accident was narrowly avoided in the Dhirasram area of Gazipur City on Sunday afternoon. The quick intervention of railway personnel and the vigilance of the train driver saved the lives of 1,200 passengers aboard the Dhaka-Chapainawabganj-bound Bonolota Express. The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 PM when the train encountered a bent section of the railway track.

The dramatic turn of events unfolded as railway safety staff detected the damaged track during a routine inspection. The dual-gauge up-line on the Dhaka-Gazipur route was found to be severely bent over a stretch of about 20 meters, with several sleeper locks broken and dislodged. Alarmed by the condition, the safety personnel promptly placed a red flag south of the damaged section to signal approaching trains to halt.

Shortly before the Bonolota Express approached the site, a different train had successfully crossed the track without incident. The situation could have escalated into a disaster had the safety personnel not noticed the damage in time. However, despite their efforts to alert nearby stations, the approaching Bonolota Express had not received any prior warning about the hazardous condition of the track.

As the train passed Dhirasram Railway Station and moved closer to the damaged section, the train driver, or loco master, spotted the red flag in the distance. Realizing the imminent danger, he immediately applied the brakes, bringing the train to a stop just 40 meters away from the bent track. The prompt action of the driver averted what could have been a massive tragedy, leaving the passengers shaken but unharmed.

Mokhlesur Rahman, the director of the Bonolota Express, recounted the tense moments. “We saw the red flag as we approached Dhirasram. The train was stopped at exactly 2:30 PM. Upon disembarking, we found railway safety personnel near the damaged track, who explained the situation to us,” he said. Rahman expressed concern over the severity of the damage, adding that the cause of the track deformation and the broken sleeper locks remained unclear. “The matter has been reported to higher authorities. Technical experts will investigate the issue to determine how this happened,” he added.

Hanif Ali, the station master at Joydebpur Railway Junction, also provided details about the incident. “The track at Dhirasram has been severely damaged. This caused the Dhaka-Chapainawabganj-bound Bonolota Express to stop just in time, avoiding a serious accident. Repairs are underway, and the train will resume its journey once the line is restored,” he stated.

Ali further mentioned that the dual-gauge double line between Dhaka and Joydebpur had been partially closed due to the damage. While the up-line remained out of service, trains continued to operate on the alternate line, ensuring some level of normalcy in railway operations.

Local residents expressed their shock at the incident, noting that such damage was highly unusual. One resident remarked, “Just half an hour before the Bonolota Express arrived, another train had crossed the same track without any problem. It is terrifying to think what could have happened if the damage had gone unnoticed.”

The railway authorities are now focused on investigating the cause of the incident. Preliminary observations suggest that the deformation of the track could have been caused by external factors or structural weaknesses. However, a detailed examination by technical experts will provide a clearer picture.

In the meantime, repair crews have been deployed to restore the damaged track. The process is expected to take several hours, during which train schedules on the affected route may experience delays. Passengers have been advised to remain patient as the authorities work to ensure the safety and reliability of the railway system.

This near-miss serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of railway safety and maintenance. With hundreds of trains traversing the country’s vast network of tracks daily, even minor oversights can lead to devastating consequences. The quick thinking and swift actions of the railway personnel and the train driver in this case undoubtedly saved lives and prevented a national tragedy.