The work of Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar railway project is progressing at a fast pace on the path of fulfilling the dream. Work on the project has progressed by 67 percent till February. In the meantime, the work of laying about 13 km railway track in Cox’s Bazar part has been completed. Apart from this, work on iconic stations, small and big bridges, culverts, level crossings and highway crossings is also in full swing. In spite of various adversities, the concerned people have taken a plan to launch the railway by December 2022.
128 km project cost:
According to the railway project documents, a 128 km railway project was undertaken in 2010 from Dohazari to Ramu via Cox’s Bazar and from Ramu to Ghumdhum near Myanmar. The main objective is to facilitate travel to the tourist city of Cox’s Bazar. As well as connecting Bangladesh with Trans-Asian Railways including Myanmar. However, the work of 28 km from Cox’s Bazar to Myanmar is not being done at present.
The construction of 100 km railway line from Chittagong to Cox’s Bazar was initially estimated at Tk 1,852 crore. By amending the project proposal in 2016, the expenditure increased to Tk. 18,034 crore. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing loan assistance for this.
Construction of the project started in July 2016. Chinese contractors China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) and Bangladesh’s Tama Construction Company and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and Bangladesh’s Max Infrastructure Limited are working in two separate divisions. This is part of the government’s fast track project.
According to the project officer, the work of the project has progressed by 8 percent till February. The project duration has been extended for another year due to Corona. In that case, the contractors will have until June 2023 to complete the project.
Oyster-shaped station:
A large white oyster. The train will come and go inside it. Such a scene is going to be real in the beach town of Cox’s Bazar. The construction work of the iconic railway station is underway under the long awaited Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar railway project. The main structure of the 6-storey station building has been completed.
Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar Railway Project (Iconic Station Building) Construction Manager. According to Abdul Jaber Milon, the biggest attraction of the railway under construction from Dohazari in Chittagong to Cox’s Bazar is the railway station in Cox’s Bazar. The entire station is being built on 29 acres of land. The iconic station building is 1 lakh 87 thousand square feet. The station has almost all the sophisticated facilities.
The station is in Chanderpara area of Jhilangja union of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Ujela. The station area under construction has been visited and the main structure of the six-storey station building has become visible. Day and night more than 500 engineers and workers are engaged in the construction of the station building. In addition to the station building, 16 more installations are being constructed, which will be used for railway management and commercial activities.
Cox’s Bazar railway station alone is costing Tk 215 crore, railway officials said. The centrally air-conditioned station has different routes for passengers to enter and exit. There is a large car parking space. The iconic railway station has Tarakaman hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and child care centers. There is a locker or luggage compartment. Tourists can go to Cox’s Bazar in the morning by night train and leave their luggage at the station. And after visiting the beach or sightseeing all day, you can return to your destination by night train.
Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar Railway Project (Iconic Station Building) Construction Manager. Abdul Jaber Milon said the main structure of the six-storey iconic station building is under construction. In addition, 30 percent of the work on the platform and footover bridge has progressed. Now all that is left is the work of finishing, making the roof structure and enhancing the beauty. Work on the roof structure will begin in April. Finishes include Central EC, Fire Fighting, BMA Systems, Sanitary Works and Electrical Works; Which will not be a problem in the rainy season. Because the work on the main structure of the building is finished, so these works can be done sitting inside. As a result, the work will move forward at a faster pace. It is said that the construction of this iconic railway station will be completed two months before the completion of the project.
He said that recently the Minister of Railways Nurul Islam and Secretary Dr. rushed to see the progress of the project. Md. Humayun Kabir. Railway officials, including Tara, are planning to launch the line by next December.
Train to Cox’s Bazar; The wheel of the economy will change:
A total of nine stations, including the iconic station at Cox’s Bazar, are being built on the railway. The next station from Cox’s Bazar to Chittagong is Ramu station. Then there are Islamabad, Dulahazara, Chakaria, Harbang, Lohagarh, Satkania and Dohazari railway stations.
Chittagong’s Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar railway line, which was like a dream for the people of Cox’s Bazar. Now on the way to implementation. Locals say the movement of trains in Cox’s Bazar will change the wheel of the economy.
Ramu resident Sohaib Saeed said the train would come to Cox’s Bazar, it was not even imagined. Now we ourselves are amazed to see the huge work.
Shoaib Saeed further said that the traffic pressure on Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar highway has increased many times. Due to which accidents often happen on this road. If the railways are launched this year, there will be many benefits for people to travel.
Abu Taleb Shah, manager of Hotel Cox-Today, said: Then there will be a radical change in the tourism industry of Cox’s Bazar. Because then the representative will be the arrival of tourists in Cox’s Bazar.
Source : Dainik Cox’s Bazar
