Railway authorities have decided to renovate the existing railway line at Kalurghat railway bridge on the Karnaphuli river and start train movement from September to Cox's Bazar. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina may inaugurate the newly constructed Dohazari-Cox's Bazar railway line in the last week of September this year.
Secretary of the Ministry of Railways Humayun Kabir gave this information in an exchange meeting at Chattogram Circuit House on Saturday morning. The district administration organized this exchange meeting regarding the implementation of renovation work of Kalurghat Bridge and the launch of ferry.
The meeting was chaired by the Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Abul Basar Mohammad Fakhruzzaman, General Manager of Eastern Railway Md. Jahangir Hossain, Additional Commissioner of City Police ASM Mahtab Uddin, Divisional Railway Manager Abidur Rahman and other project related officials were present in the meeting.
According to the information of the railway authorities, the construction of Chattogram to Cox's Bazar dual gauge railway project will be completed in September. The implementation of this project will cost Tk 18 thousand 34 crore 47 lakh. Out of this 100 km dual gauge railway, 70 km has been completed. Project progress is 83 percent. Of the remaining 17 percent work, construction of 30 km of railway lines and 86 station buildings is in progress.
However, the almost 100-year-old dilapidated Kalurghat bridge on the Karnaphuli river was considered as the main obstacle in the launch of the railway line up to Cox's Bazar.
In the speech of the chief guest, Railway Secretary Humayun Kabir said, "The present government has taken various initiatives for the development of railways. Trains will be able to run at a speed of 120-130 km on the Dohazari-Cox's Bazar route through the new railway. People go to tourist towns to see the beauty of nature.
He said, 'Renovation work of Kalurghat Bridge will start in June. It will take six months to complete the renovation of the entire bridge. However, the renovation of the main rail line of the bridge will be completed within three months. Trains (trains on Chattogram-Dohazari route) will be closed for these three months. Traffic on the bridge will be closed.
Stating that ferries will be introduced as an alternative to the bridge during the renovation work, the secretary said that if traffic is stopped on the bridge, people will experience temporary inconvenience. But once the renovation is done, it will no longer be there. As an alternative to the bridge, ferries will be introduced for commuting. If traffic is stopped on the bridge, people will be temporarily inconvenienced.
But once the renovation work is done, that pain will no longer exist. A new bridge will be built in 208 to alleviate the suffering.
Abu Zafar Mia, Railway Chief Engineer (East), said, "The condition of the Kalurghat railway bridge is so bad, it is not possible to take heavy engine trains to Cox's Bazar without renovation." At present the train speed on this bridge is 10 km. After renovation will be 50-60 km. The bridge will be renovated with the advice of Bangladesh University of Engineering (BUET) consultant team.
Tender notification for appointment of contractor has already been given. Renovations are scheduled to begin on June 20. The main renovation will be completed in September. In this renovation work, a walkway will be kept on the railway bridge for people to cross on foot.
Rokon Uddin Khaled Chowdhury, Engineer of Roads and Highways Department (RHD), said, 'Ferry service will be started on the river as an alternative to the bridge. 2 ferries are kept here. Among them, a ferry has been kept as an alternative.
However, Boalkhali Upazila Parishad Chairman Rezaul Karim and Municipal Chairman Zahurul Islam raised questions about starting the renovation of the bridge in June. Two public representatives suggested four ferries instead of two.
Municipal chairman Zahurul Islam said that monsoon will start in June. River ferrying becomes difficult. Ferries are closed for up to three hours, especially during high tides. If it is closed like this then people will have to suffer. Alternatives should be considered in this regard.
