Eastern Railway in Bangladesh is facing an escalating locomotive shortage that has severely disrupted passenger and freight services. According to officials, the region requires 119 engines daily to maintain normal operations but currently has only 75 to 76 available. The shortage has forced several local and mail train routes, including Chattogram–Laksam and Chattogram–Sylhet, to suspend operations. The Nasirabad Express, running between Chattogram and Jamalpur, now faces frequent cancellations, with seven to eight trips canceled each month.

Railway officials warn that the situation could further deteriorate if new engines are not procured soon. The Eastern Railway’s General Manager stated that existing engines are being overused without adequate rest or maintenance, leading to faster wear and breakdowns. The shortage has also prevented the introduction of new train services. The railway authority has submitted a request for additional engines to the ministry, but the decision depends on higher government approval.

Freight transport has also been hit hard, with only five engines available daily against a need for fifteen, causing significant logistical disruptions.