Broken Rail Disrupted Train Services Between Rajshahi and Natore

Train communications between Rajshahi and the rest of the country experienced a temporary suspension lasting approximately two hours due to a broken rail line in Natore district. The incident occurred on September 1, 2026, creating significant travel disruptions for passengers commuting along this vital regional rail corridor.

The issue was discovered early in the morning when on-duty railway personnel spotted the broken section at around 6:30 AM. The damage was located near the 227/0 railway pillar adjacent to Lokmanpur station in Bagatipara upazila, situated between Abdulpur and Rajshahi stations. Authorities were immediately notified, prompting a swift response from railway maintenance teams to begin repair works.

Abdulpur railway station master Masud Rana stated that he received information regarding the broken rail line at 6:40 AM, leading to an immediate halt in train movements. Consequently, at least six passenger trains were left stranded at Abdulpur and Rajshahi stations during the disruption. The affected services included the Sagardari Express, Titumir Express, Banalata Express, Silkcity Express, a commuter train, and the Madhumati Express.

Following emergency repairs, train operations resumed at around 8:30 AM with restricted speeds. Mostak Ahmed noted that after identifying the fracture and informing senior authorities, repair work was initiated promptly. To ensure safety while full restoration is underway, a temporary speed restriction has been imposed, limiting trains to a maximum speed of 20 kilometres per hour over the repaired section before normal speeds are restored.

Addressing the underlying cause of the incident, Farid Ahmed clarified that the rail fracture was not caused by any saboteurs or wrongdoers. Instead, he explained that many rail tracks across the western zone are between 50 and 80 years old. With their economic lifespan having expired, such technical problems are occurring in various locations, prompting ongoing efforts to regularly inspect tracks and identify vulnerable areas.