Rail blockade ends after nine and a half hours, Dhaka-Mymensingh trains resume

Students clear the tracks at 8pm, allowing trains to resume normal operations

Students of Bangladesh Agricultural University have cleared a blockade of Mymensingh-Dhaka rail tracks, which they staged demanding a change in the schedule of the 47th BCS examination.

The blockade disrupted train services from Mymensingh to Jamalpur, Netrokona, Jaria, and Kishoreganj for nine and a half hours.

After a confrontation with passengers, the Tista Express was eventually allowed to depart on Sunday.

The protest began at 11:30am at Jabarer Mor, where students waved red flags to stop the intercity train from Dhaka to Jamalpur via Mymensingh.

The blockade lasted until 8pm, when students finally cleared the tracks and train operations resumed.

A similar protest on Saturday evening halted Dhaka-Mymensingh trains for three hours, with students returning to the tracks late at night, leaving only after an hour-long standoff.

During Sunday’s blockade, the Tista Express was held from 11:30am, sparking tension with stranded passengers. Concerned about public inconvenience, students allowed the train to proceed around 2:30pm but continued the protest.

Mymensingh Railway Police Station chief Md Akhtar Hossain said the blockade was a response to “unrealistic and unequal timing” in the BCS written exams.

The stoppage affected the Mahua Commuter, Agnibina Express, Mohanganj Express, Balaka Commuter, and Dewanganj Commuter services.

Expressing frustration, passenger Sozel Rana said: “Their demand may be valid, but blocking trains inconveniences many, including elderly and ill passengers.”

Another passenger Abdul Kaiyum added, “Protests cannot justify disrupting public transport; the government must intervene.”