The first train journey from Chattogram’s Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar has started, although this is not a trial run. The train was carrying a monitoring team for the first time to inspect the construction work on the railway and check for any defects.
Around 8 am on Sunday (Nov 5), the train left Chattogram station with eight coaches, carrying officials from the inspection department. During this journey, they will inspect the under-construction Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar railway line and various stations.
The Director of the Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar railway project, Subaktgin, explained, “The Bangladesh Railway’s inspection team will assess the railway’s condition. The train departed from Chattogram to Cox’s Bazar around 8 am on Sunday.”
The team will make stops at various points along the railway and slowly progress towards Cox’s Bazar, also inspecting newly constructed railway bridges. They thoroughly assessed all details before the railway’s official inauguration, with their journey expected to reach Cox’s Bazar by the afternoon.
Subaktgin added that the team comprises 8 to 10 officials from the Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar railway project, along with other officials from the inspection team of Bangladesh Railway.
Mofizur Rahman, Additional Director General (Infrastructure) of Bangladesh Railway, clarified, “This is not a trial run of the Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar railway on Sunday. The Government Inspector of Bangladesh Railway Authority will inspect this railway, which operates under the Ministry of Railways but is separate from Bangladesh Railway.”
He further explained that it’s not an engine or car trial but an inspection to ensure the railway line’s condition and safety. The team will also assess the train’s operating speed. This inspection aims to provide an overall evaluation before the Prime Minister inaugurates the railway.
The construction of this railway project costs approximately Tk 18 thousand crore, and proposed fares for this route include Dhaka to non-AC decorated chairs at Tk 515, AC seat at TK 948, AC cabin at Tk 1,363, and AC berth at Tk 2,036.
The project is divided into two separate parts, with the Chinese contractor China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) and Tama Construction Company of Bangladesh involved, along with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and Max Infrastructure Limited of Bangladesh.
The Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar railway line consists of 39 major bridges, 223 small bridges and culverts, 96 level crossings of various classes, and two underpasses for elephants. There are nine constructed stations along the route: Dohazari, Satkania, Lohagara, Harbang, Chakaria, Dulahazra, Islamabad, Ramu, and Cox’s Bazar.
Besides, the trial run of train engines at the Kalurghat bridge over the Karnaphuli river in Chattogram was successfully completed. This involved running three rail engines from morning to afternoon on Saturday (Nov 4). The engines used included a 10.5-ton 2200 series engine, an 11.16-ton 2900 series engine, and a 15-ton 3000 series engine. Trains will operate on the Cox’s Bazar railway using this series of engines.
For travel from Dhaka or Chattogram to Cox’s Bazar, the train must cross this nearly century-old bridge. The bridge’s traffic was closed for renovation work on August 1, lasting for three months.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the train service on the Cox’s Bazar route on November 11.
News Source : Somoi News
