Locals block train services for five hours in Nilphamari

Local residents blocked railway tracks at Darwani Railway Station in Nilphamari for nearly five hours on Wednesday, demanding stops for intercity trains. Train services on the Chilahati–Rajshahi and Chilahati–Khulna routes resumed at 12:55pm after the protesters withdrew the blockade following assurances from the administration.
Earlier in the morning, residents formed a human chain at the station before taking positions on the railway tracks. The blockade stranded the Khulna-bound Rocket Mail and Border Express trains from Chilahati, disrupting services and causing suffering to passengers. The protesters demanded that at least two intercity trains stop at Darwani station, where only one local train currently stops.
“We only have one local train stopping here. The station is very old. We want at least two intercity trains to stop here,” said protester Jamiar Rahman. Another protester, Safin Ahmed, said two to three trains used to stop at the station, but now only one train stops there in the morning.
Nilphamari Railway Station Master Mainul Hossain said the Border Express train reached Nilphamari station at 9:13am. Railway authorities later learned that residents had blocked the Rocket Mail train at Darwani, disrupting train services.
Nilphamari Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mobashwira Amatullah said she had contacted railway authorities in Paksey and was informed that new stationmasters were undergoing training.
After completing the training, they would be appointed to stations that had remained closed, she said, adding that priority would be given to appointing a stationmaster at Darwani and introducing train stops there.
The protesters withdrew the blockade following the administration’s assurances, allowing train services to resume at 12:55pm.