Moshiur Rahman Selim, Cumilla South 

 Passengers across the Cumilla region are experiencing severe daily commuting difficulties following the suspension of 36 local and DEMU (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) train services caused by policy missteps, inadequate maintenance, and technical failures under the previous administration.

Railway sources confirmed that 18 pairs (36 total) of local and commuter trains were shut down across four major routes: Cumilla-Laksam, Laksam-Chattogram, Laksam-Noakhali, and Cumilla-Chandpur. Out of 20 DEMU train sets procured in 2012 at a cost of Tk 650 crore with an intended 30-year operational lifespan, four sets assigned to the Cumilla region became completely unserviceable by 2020 within just eight years of deployment. One DEMU set valued at approximately Tk 30 crore currently lies rusting in a dilapidated state at the Laksam Railway Junction locomotive shed under open skies.

While 54 pairs of local and intercity trains previously operated across these four Eastern Railway routes, only 36 pairs remain operational today, fulfilling barely one-third of total passenger demand. The shutdown of affordable local trains has led to a threefold increase in demand for intercity seats, triggering ticket scalping and forcing low-income commuters to rely on expensive bus transport. Despite the train cutbacks, tickets worth Tk 18.5 crore were sold across the four routes in the first ten months of the current fiscal year, underscoring high passenger demand.

Cumilla Railway Station Master Anwar Hossain and Laksam Junction Station Master Omar Faruk Bhuiyan noted that the suspension of local services has caused immense distress to daily commuters, urging senior railway authorities to reactivate the suspended trains.

 Locomotive shed engineering officials Saifur Rahman and Anisur Rahman stated that either overhauling the grounded DEMU units or allocating new local trains would resolve the commuter crisis while generating substantial revenue for Bangladesh Railway.