The Loco master of a commuter train that derailed in Cumilla on Wednesday alleged that he had received no warning about ongoing track repairs despite being given clearance to proceed, raising questions about railway safety procedures.
The engine and three carriages of the Dhaka-bound Karnaphuli Commuter derailed around 12:40pm near Naoti Railway Station in Laksham, disrupting rail services and injuring several passengers.
Loco Master Moazzem Hossain said he had received clearance from Nangalkot Railway Station before proceeding towards Laksham, with no caution order or speed restriction issued.
“No one told me that work was under way on the track or advised me to proceed cautiously. Neither the station master nor the guard informed me,” he said.
Moazzem said he was travelling at the normal speed of 40–50 kilometres per hour when he spotted a red warning flag about 100 metres ahead.
“I sounded the whistle and tried everything to stop the train. By the time it was coming to a halt, I saw that the track had been disconnected and workers were carrying out repairs,” he said.
Nangalkot Station Master Jamal Hossain, who issued the line clearance, also said he had received no information about the repairs.
“We received no message about repairs being carried out on the railway track. Even the control room did not inform us. That is why we gave the Karnaphuli Commuter clearance to proceed,” he said.
Bangladesh Railway’s Feni region Assistant Executive Engineer said the investigation would examine possible failures involving both the traffic and engineering departments.
He said the train had not stopped after the red warning flag was displayed, while track repairs had reportedly been under way since Tuesday without official written instructions being issued.
Both departments could bear responsibility, he said, although the cause remained under investigation.
Passengers, however, claimed the train had appeared to be travelling faster than usual after leaving Nangalkot Station shortly after 12:20pm.
The derailment triggered panic, leaving several passengers with injuries to their heads and other parts of their bodies.
The injured received first aid, while more than 300 passengers continued their journeys using alternative transport.
The accident suspended Dhaka-bound train services, while services on the opposite line continued.
Railway Divisional Transport Officer Md Mostafizur Rahman said a four-member investigation committee had been formed, headed by Chattogram Divisional Transport Officer Farhan Mahmud.
Railway authorities also arranged a rescue train from Chattogram to recover the derailed engine and carriages.
Repeated attempts to contact Laksham Junction Station Master Omar Faruk for comment were unsuccessful.
