Ctg-Cox's Bazar-Gumdhum rail route to be operational in June next: Officials

CHATTOGRAM, Dec 09: Extended by two years, the Chattogram-Dohazari-Cox's Bazar-Gumdhum (CDCG) rail route project is likely to be completed one ahead of the latest deadline fixed earlier this year, an official said.
Originally scheduled to be completed in June this year but the deadline was extended by two more years until June 2024.
Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan, who visited an important spot on the CDCG project areas on Thursday said that trains from across the country will soon go to Cox's Bazar as the Dohazari-Cox's Bazar rail line will be opened to public within June next year.
Echoing him, Project Director (PD) of CDCG Mohammad Mofizur Rahman said 80% construction work on the project has been completed as of Friday (Dec 9) and the remaining 20% will be done by June 2023.
When asked as to when train communication on the route will begin, he reaffirmed that rail communication on the route will formally start before June 2023, one year ahead of the extended deadline.
Another official involved with implementation of the project said, a total of 100 kilometres single line and dual gauge railway track is being constructed between Dohazari of Chattogram and Cox's Bazar district. Not only that, 39 major bridges and 242 culverts are being constructed on this rail route. Besides, multiple underpasses and overpasses are being built to allow uninterrupted and safe movement of elephants in various areas where the rail route is being constructed.
Many areas where the new rail route will go through have been situated in hilly areas of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Bandarbans near where multiple habitats of elephants are located. To ensure unhindered and safe movement of the tuskers through the project areas, a good many underpasses and overpasses are being constructed by the project implementation authority, said the official involved with designing and implementation of the multi billion taka project.
Railways Minister Sujan visited the CDCG rail route project on Dec 8 to see for himself the progress made in implementing the fast-track project. After inspecting several important spots he observed that work on the project was going on smoothly now and expressed satisfaction over the progress made so far.
Talking with, journalists Mr Sujan said trains from different parts of the country will go to beach town Cox's Bazar as the rail line will be opened to public within the first half of 2023.
Sources said one of the mega schemes of the Bangladesh Railway, CDCG has been categorised as a fast-track project of the government. Started 11 years ago, it was scheduled to be completed within June 2022. But the implementing authority could not complete construction work within the earlier scheduled time of mid-June this year because of coronavirus outbreak and other reasons. As they failed to meet the deadline, they had appealed to the concerned ministry earlier this year for extension of the timeline by two more years till July 2024 to do the remaining work.
Officials said, the 128-km route will have nine railway stations in Chattogram's Satkania, Lohagora upazilas, Chokoria, Dulahazra, Eidgao, Ramu, Cox's Bazar Sadar and Ukhiya upazilas, and Gumdhum area of Bandarban. These stations will have hundred per cent computer-based interlocking signal system and fully digitalised telecommunications network.
Moreover, three large bridges are being constructed over the Sangu, Matamuhuri and Banskhali rivers, along with 43 small bridges, 201 culverts and 144 level crossings, they said. A couple of level crossings on highways will be constructed in Ramu and Cox's Bazar Sadar and a big flyover in Kewchiya area of Chattogram's Satkania.
Prime Minister laid the foundation stone 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 Sadar and 28km from Ramu to Gumdhum. An iconic rail station is being constructed in the shape of an oyster in Cox's Bazar town where all international standard facilities will be available.
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