Train communication with the country’s main tourist attraction spot Cox’s Bazar will be starting from December next year, with the project having achieved 65 percent progress until now.
After expanding the project work implementation time for six months, the authorities concerned are now working with an aim to complete the project as per schedule.
Project stakeholders said the pace of work was slow due to the pandemic stagnated situation and land acquisition complications. As now everything returns to its normal pace, the construction work will regain full speed.
In the meantime, about 10 km of railway track has been laid in Cox's Bazar. Construction of iconic railway stations, culvert, level crossing, and highway crossing are also in progress.
Railway minister Nurul Islam Sujan earlier told Bangladesh Post, “We are continuing our construction work with an aim to complete the project at the earliest. Once the project is completed, we are hopeful that people from other parts of the country will be able to visit Cox’s Bazar through the train.”
The Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar railway construction projects are moving ahead to fulfill the dreams of millions of tourists as this will facilitate them to go to Cox’s Bazar directly using the safest mode of transport.
One of the priority development projects of the government is the construction of Dohazari-Cox's Bazar railway line. The line will run from Dohazari in Chattogram to Cox's Bazar.
As per the construction work, rail tracks have been laid in the Panichara area of Ramu, already 12 kilometer (km) out of 103 km from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar is now visible. Two out of nine stations of the project have been completed, while few station construction is near the end.
The cost of the project, which started in 2011, is currently Tk 18,034 crore. Nine railway stations and 39 bridges are being constructed on this 128 km long railway line. Among these stations, Cox’s Bazar railway station is an iconic station. The station will have international standard facilities for tourists.
Two Chinese companies and two Bangladeshi companies are working on this ADB-funded project. The railway line is visible in Cox's Bazar by installing this track. This will open the door to new horizons of communication.
Project director Md. Mofizur Rahman told Bangladesh Post, “As Cox’s Bazar is the main priority, we are emphasizing on this portion of construction. Work on Ramu to Ghundhum is currently halted as there is the Rohingya issue and at the same time Myanmar government did not take any kind of project to join the TransAsian Railroad.”
On 31st October, Bangladesh Railway prepared a progress report on the project of construction of single line dual gauge track (first revised) from Dohazari to Ramu via Cox's Bazar and from Ramu to Ghumdhum near Myanmar.
According to a report, from Dohazari to Chattogram 39 big bridges, 145 culverts, 96 level crossings of different classes, construction of underpasses and overpasses for elephant movement, construction of nine new stations and other infrastructures are being constructed.
From Dohazari to Chakaria there are 19 bridges which are under construction. Out of 114 culverts, 42 have been completed. Work on 35 is in progress. Station buildings are under construction at Dohazari, Harbang and Chakaria.