Prior to the 12th general election, significant progress has been made on the Dohazari-Cox's Bazar railway line, paving the way for train operations on the route. Currently, the construction of 82km out of the total 100km of the railway line is complete.
The construction of small and large bridges, culverts and stations towards the end of the tracks is currently underway. In other words, approximately 86% of the project has been successfully executed.
Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan, during an inspection of the under-construction railway line on May 16, stated his intention to complete the project by September and inaugurate the train service, although the official deadline is June 2024.
Experts believe that the launch of this railway line will greatly enhance tourism in Cox's Bazar. Furthermore, it will enable cost-effective transportation of agricultural products, salt, vegetables, fish and rubber raw materials produced in Cox's Bazar.
Bangla TribuneMofizur Rahman, project director of the railway line, said: "We are aiming to complete the project by September, prior to the parliamentary polls. Currently, 86% of the work is complete, and we are striving to finish the remaining tasks."
"The laying of the 82km railway line has been completed, along with the construction of small and large bridges and culverts. Currently, mechanical work is underway. If the progress continues at the current pace, we expect to meet the September deadline," he added.
Officials associated with the project said the railway line will have nine stations, including the iconic Cox's Bazar station, along the 100km route. The remaining eight stations are located in Satkania, Lohagara, Chakaria, Dulahazara, Eidgaon, Ramu, Cox's Bazar Sadar and Ukhiya. Construction work at these stations has been completed.
Additionally, three major railway bridges have been constructed over Sangu, Matamuhuri and Bankkhali rivers. Furthermore, 43 small bridges, 201 culverts and 144 level crossings are currently being constructed.
To ensure the smooth movement of wildlife, a flyover is being constructed in the Kenochia area of Satkania, along with two highway crossings in Ramu and Cox's Bazar. Additionally, a 50m overpass and three underpasses are being built.
Iconic station
Located just three kilometres from Cox's Bazar beach, a beautiful oyster-shaped railway station is being constructed. This iconic station will be the first of its kind in the country.
Spread across 29 acres of land in the Hajipara area of Cox's Bazar's Jhelongja union, the construction of this station is nearly 90% complete.
The station, modelled after a beach oyster, spans an area of 182,000 square feet. Infrastructural work is currently underway on the six-storey building. Additionally, three platforms, each measuring 650 meters in length and 12 meters in width, are being constructed near the iconic building. Adjacent to the station, a residential area for railway personnel is being developed, consisting of eight buildings.
Apart from providing residential facilities, the station will include amenities such as a canteen, lockers and car parking. Tourists will have the convenience of leaving their luggage in the station lockers while spending the day at the beach or engaging in sightseeing activities. The station will have the capacity to handle 46,000 daily commuters.
Officials involved in the project anticipate that it will take approximately two to three more months to complete the station. Currently, the mechanical work is in progress, along with the final finishing touches.
Bangla TribuneIn the meantime, the Kalurghat bridge poses a significant challenge to the Chittagong-Cox's Bazar railway line. The responsibility of renovating the bridge to accommodate passenger trains has been entrusted to Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet). The repair work on the Kalurghat bridge is expected to commence soon.
Currently, the bridge can only support locomotives weighing up to 12 tons or lightweight coaches.
Md Jahangir Hossain, general manager of Bangladesh Railway East Zone, stated that the renovation work is projected to be completed within three months, after which the railway bridge will be opened for traffic.
Md Kabir Hossain, deputy director of the Cox's Bazar Agriculture Extension Department, emphasized the positive impact of rail communication on the transportation of agricultural products.
He stated: "The inclusion of Cox's Bazar in the rail network will bring about significant changes in the transportation of agricultural products. Farmers will receive fair prices, and the transportation cost for agricultural goods will be reduced."
On April 3, 2011, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone for the construction of meter-gauge railways from Dohazari to Ramu-Cox's Bazar and Ramu-Ghumdhum. The project comprises 88km from Chittagong's Dohazari to Ramu and an additional 12km from Ramu to Cox's Bazar.
Construction of the dual-gauge and single-track railway project commenced in 2018, approximately seven years after its inauguration by the prime minister.
Initially estimated to cost Tk1,852 crore, the construction of the 100km railway line from Dohazari to Ramu in Cox's Bazar saw a revised project proposal in 2016, resulting in an increased cost of Tk18,034.47 crore.
The project is being financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government of Bangladesh.