Staff Reporter :
The work of Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar-Gundum Railway Project is proceeding with the target of completing it by the August 2023, sources said.
As per the project tenure, the 100 kilometers railway lines have to be completed within June 30 in 2024.
But, the sources said that about 74 per cent work of the project was completed by Monday (August 29).
“We hope that the work would be completed by June 30 in 2023. The rail communication between Dohazari of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar by August, 2023,” said Mofizur Rahman, Project Director of the project.
Apart from these, the construction work of the iconic Railway Station in Cox’s Bazar is also going fast, officials said. Sources said, the Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar-Gundum railway project’s deadline was June 2022.
Meanwhile, the execution cost of the Bangladesh Railways (BR)’s mega project was increased on two occasions. The ongoing execution cost of the project is Tk 180.34 billion.
Sources said the project, one of the mega schemes of the BR and categorised one of the fast-track projects of the government, was supposed to be completed within June 2022. But, they said the implementing authority could not end the construction work within the earlier scheduled time due to Corona virus outbreak and other reasons.
The rail route in the two southernmost districts will have nine railway stations and 19 big bridges dotting the way.
“After completing the construction work, a trial run of train on the route can be held in July next year,” the Project Director said, adding around 72 per cent of the total work has been completed so far.
He said they have already completed setting up 40 km rail lines including 35 km in Cox’s Bazar part of the project and 5 km in Chattogram part. “We are setting up the signal system now. Besides, over 80 percent work of 19 bridges and culverts has been done,” the PD said.
Noting that the project has been categorised among the fast-track ones prioritised by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said its construction work is going on in full swing now as per directives of the Prime Minister. Currently cutting of soil, constructing bridges, station, culvert, level crossing and an iconic railway station in Cox’s Bazar are underway, he said.
Officials said, the rail route will have nine railway stations at Satkania, Lohagora, Chokoria, Dulahazra, Eidgao, Ramu, Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Ukhiya and Gundum. These stations will have hundred per cent computer-based interlocking signal system and fully digitalised telecommunications network.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation of the project in April 2011. A total of 88-km-long railway tracks will be installed from Dohazari to Ramu, 12km from Ramu to Cox’s Bazar and 28km from Ramu to Gundum. An iconic rail station is being constructed in the shape of an oyster where all international standard facilities will be available.
