Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan, MP, has said that about 50 percent construction work of the Dohazari-Ramu-Gumdhum railway has been completed and the railway will be opened for traffic in December 2022.
He said this while speaking as the chief guest at a cheque distribution ceremony among land accusation victims of Cox’s Bazar-Dohazari Railway project in Cox’s Bazar. The ceremony was held at Deputy Commissioner’s office in Cox’s Bazar on Saturday.
Nurul Islam Sujan said the railways have been neglected for many years. The Ministry of Railways was turned into a useless and abandoned institution. The Prime Minister has deeply realized that the country will lag far behind if the communication system is not developed. Therefore, she has mobilized this potential sector with the aim of radically changing the communication system of the country. She has already made arrangements to reach all the districts of the country by railway. In the meantime, she has given priority to Cox's Bazar. About 50 percent of the railway construction work has been completed in the district. Once the remaining 50 percent is completed, the Dohazari-Ramu-Gumdhum railway will be opened for traffic in December 2022.
A cheque of Tk 3 crore was distributed among 26 victims of the acquired land. Among them, 26 people from Chakaria Palakata-Medhakchchapiya mouza and 1 person from Jhilangja mouza of Sadar received cheque.
The minister further said that many development projects are being implemented in Cox's Bazar in. Many are giving land to the government for the implementation of the project. The people of Cox’s Bazar have long dreamed of railways. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken various development projects including construction of railways for the people to build a self-reliant nation. It should be kept in mind that this is not just the property of Cox's Bazar but of the whole country. And the railways will actually make Cox's Bazar more internationally acclaimed.
Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mamunur Rashid, members of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Information Saimum Sarwar Kamal MP, Ashek Ullah Rafiq MP, Member of Parliamentary Committee of the Ministry of Climate Change Zafar Alam MP, Kaniz Fatema Mostaq MP, Secretary to the Ministry of Railways Mohammad Selim Reza addressed the meeting as special guests. Railway Director General Dhirendra Nath Majumder, Additional Superintendent of Police. Rafiqul Islam, Central Awami League Secretary for Religious Affairs Adv. Sirajul Mostafa and district Awami League president Ed. Faridul Islam Chowdhury were also present.
Project Director Mofizur Rahman said the acquisition of the single line dual gauge track from Dohazari to Ramu to Ghumdhum is about 85 percent complete. Everyone will be paid compensation in phases.
Earlier, the Minister visited the Ramu section of the railway construction project from Dohazari in Chittagong to Cox's Bazar. Local MP Saimum Sarwar Kamal and others were present at the time.
