Railway Development Scenario: Train Moves Forward Using Mobile Phone Flashlight

Staff Correspondent

Rail passengers experienced another blood-curdling incident during the tenure of the interim government!

Suddenly, the engine’s headlight went out. Pitch darkness surrounded them on all sides along the treacherous route. The train slowed down drastically. In such a situation, passengers were gripped with terror. Given the deplorable state of law and order in the country, passengers became panic-stricken. The plight of women, children, and the elderly can easily be imagined.

The incident took place in the Baraharna area of Brahmanbaria. On the night of June 21st, Saturday, extreme panic spread among passengers due to this abnormal situation. They could not figure out what to do, and no one was getting any proper information. In that state, the Titas Commuter Train had to cover an 8-kilometer stretch using the flashlight of mobile phones.

It was learned that the Titas Commuter Train, which departed from Dhaka heading towards Akhaura, left Ashuganj Station at 8:48 PM, 15 minutes behind schedule. After passing Talshahar Station, a mechanical fault suddenly appeared in the train’s engine, and shortly afterward, the headlight went out.

To manage the situation, the driver used the flashlight of a mobile phone and blew the horn repeatedly to signal as he brought the train to Brahmanbaria Station. The train took nearly an hour to cover the 8-kilometer distance before reaching its destination. Passengers suffered extreme distress due to this incident. Many were terrified during the slow, prolonged journey in darkness, as they feared a robbery was underway.

Brahmanbaria Railway Station Master Md. Jasim Uddin stated that the engine developed a fault after passing Talshahar. Later, another locomotive was sent to dispatch the train toward Akhaura.