Railway line in Cox’s Bazar to open in December 2022: Minister
The project was delayed due to difficulties in working during the Covid-19 pandemic and problems in getting land for some government installations on time
Railway Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan said the railway line from Dohazari to Cox's Bazar will be launched on 16 December 2022.
"The project was scheduled to end in June 2022. The project work was delayed due to difficulties in working during the Covid-19 pandemic and problems in getting land for some government installations on time. So, the additional six months, the inauguration is scheduled for December next year," The railway minister told reporters at the construction site of the iconic station building near Cox's Bazar town, on Wednesday.
He went there to inspect the progress of the "Construction of Single Line Dual Gauge Railway Track from Dohazari to Cox's Bazar via Ramu and from Ramu to Gundum near Myanmar" project.
The railway minister said if the Cox's Bazar railway line is launched, there will be a huge influx of tourists and economic growth in the region.
Highlighting the various facilities of the iconic station, the minister said intending passengers can stay there and arrangements have also been made to store their luggage.
When the journalists asked him about some pending cases in this project, the minister said, "The cases are family-centric but in the interest of the project, the individuals have given their land spontaneously. Everything is being settled through the deputy commissioner."
The minister further said the railway track in Cox's Bazar is a part of the Trans-Asian Railway.
He also said there will be an 18-km-long railway track from Chakoria to Matarbari.
The railway minister said, "The prime minister is working to build a self-reliant country as dreamt by Bangabandhu – free from hunger and poverty. Development is taking place in all sectors. Many mega projects are underway across the country to build a developed, prosperous Bangladesh by 2041. Construction of the railway line from Dohazari to Cox's Bazar is one of the ten megaprojects."
The Railway Minister later inspected the under-construction railway line and saw that about 6 km railway line has already been laid.
Under the project, a 100 km new single line dual gauge railway line is being constructed from Dohazari to Cox's Bazar with the Asian Development Bank's funding. At present, the overall progress of this project is at 62%.
With the implementation of this project, Cox's Bazar will be brought under the railway network and tourists will enjoy affordable, comfortable, and safe travel. Besides, it will be possible to transport fish, salt, rubber raw materials, and agricultural products easily and at a low cost, said a press release from the Ministry of Railways.
Shaimum Sarwar Kamal, member of the parliament from Cox's Bazar-3 constituency, Mofizur Rahman, director of the construction project, Md Jahangir Hossain, general manager of the east zone of Bangladesh Railway, and other officials were present during the minister's visit.
