Experimental trains will run on Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar railway line on November 7. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate on November 12. A high-level policy-making meeting will be held today at Railway Bhaban. Railway Minister, Railway Ministry Secretary and Director General are expected to attend the meeting. Earlier on October 16, Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan had announced the experimental train operation on November 2 while inspecting the Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar railway line. However, the date will be changed and the experimental train will be run on November 7.
It is known that the necessary preparations are being made for the experimental train movement on November 7. Plans have been made regarding how many trains will go Chittagong-Dohajari-Cox’s Bazar on the trial day. Meanwhile, 92 percent of the overall construction of the Cox’s Bazar-Dohajari railway line has been completed. Moreover, construction of railway lines is often completed. But commercial will follow later.
Engineer Mohammad Subaktgin, Project Director of the Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar railway project, said, “We are working on a plan to have a trial on November 7 and an official inauguration on November 12.” A policy-making meeting will be held on this Monday at the Railway Building. Hopefully, both the programs can be completed on time. According to project sources, the Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar railway line is being implemented at a cost of Tk 18,340,480,000. On April 3, 2011, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone for construction of meter gauge railways up to Dohazari-Ramu-Cox’s Bazar and Ramu-Ghundhum. 88 km railway line was constructed from Dohazari to Ramu. Under the project, the country’s first state-of-the-art iconic railway station in the shape of an oyster has been constructed at Cox’s Bazar. Through this, the country’s tourism sector will advance another step. The railway line will provide safe, comfortable, cost-effective transportation for tourists and local people. Moreover, fish, salt, paper raw materials, forestry and agricultural products can be transported easily and at low cost. At the same time, arrangements are being made for the smooth movement of elephants and other wild animals during the construction of the project. A 50m long overpass and three underpasses are being constructed on this railway for the movement of elephants. On the other hand, the 45th district of the country will be connected by rail. Cox’s Bazar will be reached by rail in seven and a half hours from Dhaka and two and a half hours from Chittagong. About 1 lakh people can travel daily. Moreover, there will be a special refrigerated wagon service for transporting various products including fish, salt, dried fruit from Cox’s Bazar to other parts of the country.
It is known that the distance from Chittagong to Cox’s Bazar is 150 km. Distance from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar is 100 km. At present there is a railway line up to Dohazari. For this reason, the railway is going to Cox’s Bazar by crossing Ban-Pahar river from Dohazari via Ramu. Nine stations are being constructed at Dohazari, Satkania, Lohagara, Harbang, Chakria, Dulahazra, Islamabad, Ramu and Cox’s Bazar. These stations will have computer based interlock signal system and digital telecommunication system. Three big bridges are being constructed on Sangu, Matamuhuri and Bankkhali rivers. Apart from this, 43 small bridges, 201 culverts and 144 level crossings are being constructed on the entire railway.
News Source : Bangladesh Protidin
