North-bound rail link opens as derailed train cleared in Joypurhat

Train services in Joypurhat have resumed after the Barendra Express, which suffered a broken coil spring and damaged coach body, was cleared from the tracks.

Rescue trains and mechanical staff from Parbatipur and Santahar cleared the train around noon on Saturday, restoring rail links to the northern region after a three-and-a-half-hour disruption, said Rafiq Chowdhury, Joypurhat Railway Station master.

The Rajshahi-bound Barendra Express, which had left Chilahati, suffered the breakdown shortly after crossing Joypurhat's Puranapul rail gate around 8:30am, when a coach's coil spring and body snapped and dropped to the ground.

Train conductor Anwar Hossain said quick detection of the broken spring spared the train and its passengers from a major accident, but the carriage remained stuck on the tracks.

The breakdown halted all rail traffic on the northern route, cutting off services to Parbatipur, Santahar, Rajshahi and Dhaka.

Three trains, the Chilahati Express, Kurigram Express and Titumir Express, were stranded on either side of Joypurhat station from 8:30am until noon.

Station Master Rafiq said rescue trains and mechanical staff, dispatched from Parbatipur and Santahar after the alert, worked to clear the Barendra Express from the tracks.

The stranded trains resumed their journeys after noon, restoring normal rail communication, he added.