History of Constructing Dohazari to Cox's Bazar Rail Line.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s dream railway line from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar is being constructed under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangabandhu travelled to Cox’s Bazar more than once during the United Front election campaign in 1954 and during the 6-point movement of 1962, 64 and 66 — he promised to build a railway line from Cox’s Bazar to Gundum border. After more than five decades, the dream railway is being implemented by his daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

In order to develop tourism facilities, it is necessary to establish a Chittagong Cox’s Bazar Rail Line. In addition, salt, fish, decorative raw materials, cement industry as well as forest and agricultural products, which are abundant, will be easily transported if the proposed line is constructed. From the time of British rule, there was an attempt to establish a rail link between Chittagong and Myanmar through Cox’s Bazar.

Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken 10 mega projects for expediting the country’s development as well as the railway network. “Of the 10 mega projects, two are for railways–one is the rail link with the Padma Bridge and the other is, according to ministry information, the 103.5-kilometer long Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar single line dual gauge railway line. On 3 April 2011, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone for constructing Dohazari-Ramu-Cox’s Bazar and Ramu-Gundum single-line dual gauge railway line.

SMEC International Pty Ltd is the lead consultant in a joint venture, responsible for supervising the construction work from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar section.

This Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar Rail Line project is being carried out as per plan. The iconic station building will have an international dimension and will attract a large number of domestic and foreign tourists. All the facilities of international standards are being provided in this iconic station building.  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.

Also, the Dohazari Cox’s Bazar Railway Project (DCRP) is one of the Fast-Track Projects currently running in Bangladesh and tourists are the primary targets for launching train service on this route, so various plans have been taken to attract them. The country’s iconic station “Cox’s Bazar Railway Station” is under construction in Cox’s Bazar and that is being built in the shape of an oyster. The station will have locker facility for tourists to keep their luggage there. As a result, tourists could leave Cox’s Bazar without staying at night in the hotel.

Finally, the high-speed train will be able to run from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar after the rail track installation on this route is finished. However, the existing rail track from Chattogram to Dohajari will require a little repairing.