BSS, Chittagong :
The long-cherished Dohazari-Gumdum rail line project at length comes into being as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved around TK 12,000 crore (US$ 1.5 billion) for the mega project.
The project was taken up 58 years back for connectivity between tourist town Cox’s Bazar and commercial capital Chittagong.
Bangladesh Railway (BR) has already invited tender for the TK 18,034 crore Dohazari-Ramu-Cox’s Bazar and Ramu to Gundum on Myanmar border dual gauge rail line project.
Of the total project cost, TK 6,034 crore will come from the national exchequer while the remaining TK 12000 crore (USD 1.5 billion) will be available as project assistance from ADB.
ADB will release US$ 1.5 billion in four phases for the Trans Asian Rail Line Network under the South Asia Sub-regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Railway Connectivity Investment Programme while construction work of the project is expected to begin in June next year.
Deputy Director of the project Mohammad Mofizur Rahman said the ADB in its board meeting decided to release USD 1.5 billion for the project and the development partner has released the matter in its website on September 28 last.
He said ADB will release US$ 300 million (TK 2400 crore) in first phase, US$ 400 million (TK 3200 crore) in second phase, US$ 500 million (TK 4000 crore) in third phase and US$ 300 million (TK 2400 crore) in fourth phase.
“We are about to complete the land acquisition work and have already invited tender for the project and the deadline for submission of tender is November 28 next”, the Deputy Project Director said adding that it may take up to the middle of the next year to complete all tender procedures.
According to sources in the railway ministry, construction of the project is likely to begin in July 2017 and it is expected to be completed by 2021 while the ADB team has completed the updated feasibility study of the project.
The 128km-rail-line would go through Chandanaish, Satkania and Lohagara upazilas of Chittagong district, Chakaria, Ramu, Cox’s Bazar Sadar, and Ukhiya upazilas of Cox’s Bazar district and Gumdum upazila of Bandarban district.
Under the project, an 88km track will be constructed from Dohazari to Ramu, 12km from Ramu to Cox’s Bazar and another 28km track from Ramu to Gundum of Nakhyangchhari upazila of Bandarban on Myanmar border.
BR sources said the project work got delayed due to the uncertainty of fund from the development partner and later, it was instrumental to set up a dual- gauge railway track instead of single line meter gauge one.
The much-delayed project cost on account of conversion into dual-gauge now stands at TK 18,034 crore from its original cost.
On July 6, 2010, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the project for constructing the single-line meter gauge railway track from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar via Ramu and Ramu to Gumdum.
On September 9, 2014, the government decided to turn the single line meter track project into dual gauge project. At that time, the project cost increased to TK 18,034 crore.
The project has to compensate to the people, who will be affected due to the acquisition of some 1,742 acres of land.
According to the Planning Ministry, once the project is implemented, it would play an important role in raising the GDP growth, considering the economic hub of Chittagong and tourism capital Cox’s Bazar.
According to BR sources the project will establish a link with Trans Asian Railway Corridor that aims to serve cultural exchanges, trade and commerce within the region of south-east Asia.
The then Pakistan government conducted feasibility study to construct the rail line from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar in 1958 and later Japan Railway Technical Service also conducted another feasibility study between February 11 and March 25 in 1971.
But the project remained shelved after the independence of Bangladesh and another round of feasibility study was conducted when the Awami League government came to power in 1996.
The long-cherished Dohazari-Gumdum rail line project at length comes into being as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved around TK 12,000 crore (US$ 1.5 billion) for the mega project.
The project was taken up 58 years back for connectivity between tourist town Cox’s Bazar and commercial capital Chittagong.
Bangladesh Railway (BR) has already invited tender for the TK 18,034 crore Dohazari-Ramu-Cox’s Bazar and Ramu to Gundum on Myanmar border dual gauge rail line project.
Of the total project cost, TK 6,034 crore will come from the national exchequer while the remaining TK 12000 crore (USD 1.5 billion) will be available as project assistance from ADB.
ADB will release US$ 1.5 billion in four phases for the Trans Asian Rail Line Network under the South Asia Sub-regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Railway Connectivity Investment Programme while construction work of the project is expected to begin in June next year.
Deputy Director of the project Mohammad Mofizur Rahman said the ADB in its board meeting decided to release USD 1.5 billion for the project and the development partner has released the matter in its website on September 28 last.
He said ADB will release US$ 300 million (TK 2400 crore) in first phase, US$ 400 million (TK 3200 crore) in second phase, US$ 500 million (TK 4000 crore) in third phase and US$ 300 million (TK 2400 crore) in fourth phase.
“We are about to complete the land acquisition work and have already invited tender for the project and the deadline for submission of tender is November 28 next”, the Deputy Project Director said adding that it may take up to the middle of the next year to complete all tender procedures.
According to sources in the railway ministry, construction of the project is likely to begin in July 2017 and it is expected to be completed by 2021 while the ADB team has completed the updated feasibility study of the project.
The 128km-rail-line would go through Chandanaish, Satkania and Lohagara upazilas of Chittagong district, Chakaria, Ramu, Cox’s Bazar Sadar, and Ukhiya upazilas of Cox’s Bazar district and Gumdum upazila of Bandarban district.
Under the project, an 88km track will be constructed from Dohazari to Ramu, 12km from Ramu to Cox’s Bazar and another 28km track from Ramu to Gundum of Nakhyangchhari upazila of Bandarban on Myanmar border.
BR sources said the project work got delayed due to the uncertainty of fund from the development partner and later, it was instrumental to set up a dual- gauge railway track instead of single line meter gauge one.
The much-delayed project cost on account of conversion into dual-gauge now stands at TK 18,034 crore from its original cost.
On July 6, 2010, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the project for constructing the single-line meter gauge railway track from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar via Ramu and Ramu to Gumdum.
On September 9, 2014, the government decided to turn the single line meter track project into dual gauge project. At that time, the project cost increased to TK 18,034 crore.
The project has to compensate to the people, who will be affected due to the acquisition of some 1,742 acres of land.
According to the Planning Ministry, once the project is implemented, it would play an important role in raising the GDP growth, considering the economic hub of Chittagong and tourism capital Cox’s Bazar.
According to BR sources the project will establish a link with Trans Asian Railway Corridor that aims to serve cultural exchanges, trade and commerce within the region of south-east Asia.
The then Pakistan government conducted feasibility study to construct the rail line from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar in 1958 and later Japan Railway Technical Service also conducted another feasibility study between February 11 and March 25 in 1971.
But the project remained shelved after the independence of Bangladesh and another round of feasibility study was conducted when the Awami League government came to power in 1996.
