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Train service on the Lalmonirhat-Burimari rail route has remained suspended for six consecutive days due to a blockade programme on the rail line enforced by local inhabitants and regular passengers.
The protesters have been observing the blockade programme at Patgram railway station in Lalmonirhat demanding direct launch of the intercity train 'Burimari Express' from Burimari railway station in the district to Dhaka.
Several hundred people of various professions and passengers of this route took part in the blockade programme under the banner of Patgram Unnayon Sangram Parishad.
Following enforcement of the movement, the western zone railway authorities have suspended plying of all local and express trains on the Lalmonirhat-Burimari rail route for the past six days showing security reasons.
Burimari Express train was a commitment of the previous government. After 13 years of announcement, finally the train started operation on March 12, 2024 from Burimari railway station.
Just a day after its inauguration, the authorities started service of the train from Lalmonirhat to Dhaka.
Since then a shuttle train has been in operation for carrying passengers from Burimari to Lalmonirhat to board Burimari Express train.
In support of their demand for launching Burimari Express train, the inhabitants and passengers observed various programmes earlier.
They approached the railway western zone authorities to put forth their demand. The authorities assured them of taking immediate steps to meet their demand. But they failed to keep their promise for the reason unknown.
Moazzem Hossen, a local resident of Patgram upazila, said Burimari is the last train stop in northern frontier district Lalmonirhat. It is only half a km away from Changrabandha boarder of West Bengal.
Every day several hundred passengers bound for India and Bhutan for medical treatment and travelling make journey through this route.
Most of them prefer to travel by train as the train fair is very reasonable and journey is comfortable as well.
"Consequently, 'Burimari Express' has been a longstanding demand of the people of this area," Moazzem Hossen added.
"Common and regular passengers are facing acute problems for six days as operation of all the trains has remained suspended on the route. Especially the people engaged in emergency works are the worst sufferers," he continued.
On the other hand, a source at Lalmonirhat railway divisional headquarters said there are not enough facilities at Burimari and other railway stations to operate an express train. There are 13 railway stations on this route and most stations are not properly modernised with technical facilities.
ATJ Siddique, president of Patgram Unnayon Sangram Parishod, said the railway authorities several times assured them of introducing direct train service from Burimari station but they failed to keep their promise.
If their demand is not met by today (Sunday), they will go for a tougher action movement, he warned, also saying they will go for a road and rail blockade programme to realise their demand.
Abdullah Al Mamun, divisional commercial officer of Lalmonirhat Railway Division, said preparation is going on to launch direct intercity train service from Burimari station. Already some steps have been taken and the rest arrangements are under consideration, he added.
"Now the main problem is locomotive. We informed the higher authorities about the situation. If blockaders withdraw their protest programme, we could operate normal train services from tomorrow," he said.
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