Lalmonirhat is one of the 4 divisions of Bangladesh Railway. 33 engines of 2200 to 2900 series imported from America, Canada, Hungary and South Korea in 1961 for this division.
It was brought in 1961 for Lalmonirhat Division of Western Railway. After 1981, no new engine was purchased in this segment. However, lastly in 2014, 1 engine of 29th series (MEI-15) was brought to Chittagong Division of Eastern Railway from South Korea but given to Lalmonirhat Division of Western Railway.
The economic life of these engines was determined to be 20 years. But the life expectancy of all those engines has passed from about 34 years to 46 years. Sources of Lalmonirhat Divisional Office of Western Railway said that there are 6 sections of Lalmonirhat Railway Division, number of stations – 7, number of trains – 66, train movement stopped – 26, current trains running – 40. The trains are 18 intercity, 21 out of 29 mail commuters are running, 8 are closed.
Out of 24 Nokal trains, 6 are running, 18 are closed. It requires 62 engines, currently only 32 are available, 31 of which are 46 years old. The engines of these trains were 11 of 220 series (MEG-9) from America in 1961, 8 of 230 series (MEM-14) from Canada in 1969, again 9 of 240 series (MEM-14) from Canada in 1978 and in 1981 3 locomotives of 330 series (MHZ-8) were brought from Hungary for Lalmonirhat division of Western Railway.
No more engines were purchased after that. However, in 2014, an engine of 29th series (MEI-15) brought from South Korea for Chittagong Division of Eastern Railway was given to Lalmonirhat Division of Western Railway. The economic life of these engines is fixed at 20 years.
But the lifespan of 11 brought from America has passed 34 years ago. The life expectancy of the 8 brought from Canada in the first phase is now 46 years. That is, they have expired 26 years ago. The life expectancy of 9 brought from Canada in the second phase is 37 years. These also expired 17 years ago.
3 imported from Hungary have passed their lifespan of 34 years. These 3 engines expired 14 years ago. Lalmonirhat Railway Division said that 40 trains are being operated in 6 sections with expired engines. Among them, 26 trains have been canceled due to engine and train driver and crew crisis.
The remaining 31 TEs, except one engine, have expired beyond their economic life in A Division of Western Railway. Out of these 18 are running trains and 6 engines are lying abandoned at Central Repair Factory (Keloka). Apart from this, shunting work is being conducted with the remaining 8 unfit for running passenger and freight trains.
Railways require 62 engines per day to run all the trains as per the scheduled schedule. But Lalmonirhat Divisional Railway has only 32 engines. 6 of these are lying abandoned in Keloka as they are beyond repair. 8 engines unfit for running trains are being used for shunting. Remaining 18 engines are also operating 40 trains with some kind of expired coupling.
Shahinur Haque Apu, Lalmonirhat Divisional Assistant Mechanical Engineer of Western Railway, said that due to shortage of ‘crew’ it is not possible to properly maintain ‘crew’ link which is essential for train operation. Even if an accident occurs or a relief train needs to be sent, another train has to be canceled or abnormally delayed.
Moreover, even if a ‘crew’ falls ill or goes on leave due to special needs, the train is being cancelled. It will be impossible to operate the train as per time table number 50 this year if the ‘crew’ is not appointed soon and the engine is added. Several letters have been sent to the Chief Mechanical Engineer of Western Railway (Rajshahi) mentioning these problems to solve the problem. But this railway department is running with double applause as the expected response is not getting.
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