Rail services in Lalmonirhat have come under severe strain as most trains operate with locomotives that have already exceeded their service life, exposing deep regional disparities in infrastructure.
The crisis has left passengers facing frequent breakdowns, reduced speeds, and chronic schedule disruptions, according to information shared by railway officials and local sources.
Data show at least 30 locomotives are required daily to run 20 pairs of trains, but only 21 are currently available in the Lalmonirhat division.
Of the existing fleet, 16 locomotives have already passed their economic lifespan, yet these ageing engines continue to operate all 20 pairs of trains, including 10 intercity services.
At the same time, seven mail trains and 14 local services remain suspended due to shortages of engines, manpower, and spare parts.
Passengers say the reliance on outdated locomotives has made travel unreliable and exhausting.
“Coaches are worn out, and there is no confidence in the engine,” said Lalmonirhat station passenger Jamser Paramanik, who was waiting for the Karatoa Express to Burimari.
“The engine often fails midway, and there is no certainty about arrival time,” he added.
Similar concerns were echoed by Lalmonirhat-Santahar route passenger Safia Khatun, who said the service has become slower despite being meant to ease travel.
“There are no lights inside, and fans do not work. We are travelling in extreme discomfort,” she said.
Railway staff say technical limitations of ageing engines are at the core of the problem.
Locomaster Abdul Malek said most engines date back to 2004–2005 and frequently develop mechanical faults.
He said each locomotive is designed to run with six traction motors, but due to parts shortages, many operate with only four or five, reducing speed and increasing breakdown risks.
Replacement engines are also difficult to secure in case of sudden failures, he added.
Local residents and civil society members say the situation reflects long-standing neglect.
Lalmonirhat resident Mostafizur Rahman GS Babu said the division has suffered from development disparity for years despite being a key hub for northern rail connectivity.
“Outdated engines and coaches have consistently been allocated here, leaving passengers to bear the consequences,” he said.
He urged the government to address the imbalance and allocate new locomotives to the region.
Railway officials acknowledge the limitations but cite broader national constraints.
Lalmonirhat Railway Divisional Mechanical Engineer for locomotives Dhiman Bhowmik said 16 of the division’s 21 locomotives have exceeded their economic lifespan.
“They are being kept operational through regular maintenance, but locomotive shortages exist across the country,” he said.
Lalmonirhat Railway Divisional Manager Mohammad Taslim Ahmed Khan said the issue has been reported to higher authorities.
He also noted that workshop capacity remains inadequate compared to the number of engines and coaches in operation.
He did not specify when measures would be taken to resolve the shortage.
