Oyster-shaped rly station adds to tourist attraction of Cox's Bazar

COX'S BAZAR, Nov 11 (UNB): An eye-catching railway station built in the shape of an oyster stands just three kilometers away from Cox's Bazar sea beach, which is expected to become also a recreation destination.

The impressive station was also unveiled Saturday as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened the much awaited 102-kilometre Chattogram-Cox's Bazar dual-gauge single railway line aiming to link the country's tourist hub with the port city through the railway connectivity as well.

The railway station was constructed on a 29-acre land in Hazipara area of Jhilong Union nearby Cox's Bazar town.

The modern facilities are available in the 182,000-sq feet railway station where a six-storey building and a large oyster fountain were constructed.

Some 90,000 passengers are expected to use the iconic station a day.

In the station, there are three large spaces for car parking. The modern facilities which are available in the station include ticket counters and reception centres, shopping mall, restaurants, luggage lockers, child care center, mosque, escalators, ATM booths, residential hotel, post office and tourist information booth.

The luggage locker in the tourist town is an attractive feature as anyone can visit the sea beach or other tourist spots for a day, leaving goods in the station.

Besides, the station is friendly to elderly and disabled persons. It was constructed at a cost of Tk 2.15 billion (215 crore).

Alongside the station, the 102-km rail Chattogram (Dohazari)-Cox's Bazar rail route has eight other stations at Satkania, Lohagara, Chokoria, Dulahazra, Eidgao, Ramu, Ukhiya, and Gumdum.

These stations have fully computer-based interlocking signal systems and a fully digitalised telecommunications network.

In the future, the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar railway line will be connected with the under-construction Matarbari deep sea port.

On April 3 in 2011, Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone for the construction of Dohazari-Cox's Bazar railway, a priority project of her government.

Remarkable development in Khulna region's road communication

KHULNA, Nov 11 (BSS): Mahtab Uddin, a van-driver, now sells vegetables, in different areas and became happy as road communication is very stunning from Dumuria upazila to elsewhere of the region.

He now earns significantly more than he did previously-- thanks to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as road communication has developed a lot during the present government regime.

Like Mahtab Uddin, some farmers of Dumuria upazila told the news agency on Friday, they can easily transport huge vegetables from their lands directly through trucks or other vehicles to different districts as road communication has become developed and it requires less transportation cost.

"Now we will send out products through railway as its communication has now covered most of the district of the region," they added.

While visiting different areas of the upazila this correspondent found that the farmers are very busy collecting their winter vegetables to supply to different districts of the country including the capital.

Abu Hanif Morol, agriculture awarded farmer of Dumuria told BSS, now the lives of the farmers have been changed due to better roads and railway communications and since the Padma Bridge opened in June 2022.

Many farmers are taking advantage of the positive change in the area and earning a good amount of money.

Abul Hossain, a shrimp farmer of Dakop upazila, told the news agency, "We have changed our fates due to better roads and railway communications. Now, we can send frozen processing shrimp elsewhere across the country."

Fish farmers, traders, shrimp gher (enclosure) owners of the Khulna region have become very happy as they never dreamt the huge development that has been occurred in roads and railways both in the urban and rural areas during last 14 years, he added.

Talking to the news agency, Kazi Aminul Haque, President of Khulna Chamber of Commerce Industry (KCCI), said series of development has been done led by Prime minister Sheikh Hasina during last 14 and half years.

"The Padma Bridge, modern Mongla Port, Khulna-Mongla Rail Line, huge pucca roads has brought a revolutionary change in communication system in the region. Businessmen become very happy as they can do their business at home and abroad.

Investors' are now interested to invest here, he said, adding that country's economy is gearing up due to the tremendous development and which has created a perfect supply chain management for the local companies. He has also demanded an airport at Foyla in Bagerhat immediately.

Meanwhile, Khulna Unnayan Sangram Samonnya Committee has pressed 18-point demand including immediate supplying of gas in Khulna region.

Sheikh Ashrafuzzaman, President of the committee, has demanded these 18 points demand at a press conference at Khulna Press Club today.