Launch of Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar train service in Sept uncertain

The flashflood triggered by heavy rains and hilly onrush has caused damages to the entire 100km under-construction Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar rail line more or less, throwing the plan to launch the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar train service in September into uncertainty.

However, officials concerned are optimistic about making the track ready for the train service within the scheduled time.

The flood inundated almost all the upazilas of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar districts, sending roads and railway track being constructed under the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Rail Line project under water.

Three upazilas of Chattogram -- Chandanish, Lohagara and Satkania -- were affected badly and remained inundated for six days during the flood.

As a result, the roads and the under-construction train track were damaged more or less.

Locals also alleged that the railway project did not include sufficient culverts and passages for draining out rainwater and hilly onrush.

But, the officials concerned denied the allegation, saying the project does not obstruct the flow of water anywhere of the upazilas.

Sources at Bangladesh Railway (East Zone) said the entire 100km stretch of the project suffered damage by the flood.

Of them, a 3.5km area remained under water for over six days while stone, soil and protection dams were washed away from another 1-km stretch.

Contacted, Project Director (PD) Mofizur Rahman said that the entire under-construction track and pavements were damaged more or less as soil was washed away by the floodwater.

As no major damages like destruction of big bridges were reported, it will not take much time to repair the damages, he said, adding that the areas from Chandanaish to Satkania were affected severely by the flood.

Asked about the allegation raised by locals, the PD said the situation worsened as huge rainfall was recorded this year after several decades.

“I’ve physically visited the affected areas after restoration of traffic movement on Thursday. We found the water level equal on both sides of the railway track. Had there been any fault in the project design, the water would have remained stranded on one side,” Mofizur said.

The Asian Development Bank provided money from the Climate Change Fund for the project, he said, adding that so, they have the strict monitoring regarding the environmental issues.

Some 87 percent work on the project has already been completed and 11km rail track will need to be laid to make the route operational for trains within the stipulated time of September, the PD said.

“We couldn’t work for one week due to the inclement weather and it’ll take one more week for the work to gather pace. We’re optimistic about completing the work within the timeframe,” he said, adding that the extent of damage can be ascertained after improvement of the situation.   

Bangladesh Railway wants to make the Chattogram (Dohazari)-Cox’s Bazar rail line operational by September this year. Some 89 kms of the 100km track from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar is now ready.

The original plan was to launch the rail route in December this year.

Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan's announcement of an earlier launch in September necessitated an upsurge in work.

The PD earlier said they were making every effort to have the stations, equipment and other necessary facilities operational by the deadline. He also acknowledged that some elements will be completed post-launch.

The project titled 'Construction of Single Line Dual-Gauge Railway Track from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar via Ramu and Ramu to Ghumdhum near Myanmar' is a priority government scheme.

The total railway distance from Chattogram to Cox’s Bazar is approximately 154 kilometres with an existing 54-kilometre track between Chattogram and Dohazari.

Renovation of the worn-out Kalurghat road-cum-rail bridge has already started to commence the service on the new route.

Currently, the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway serves as the principal tool to connect the beach city and the rest of the country. However, it struggles to cope with the large influx of tourists and goods transportation to and from Cox's Bazar.

The railway project aims to address these challenges, ensuring safer, more comfortable and cheaper transportation for locals and tourists alike, and facilitating the more efficient transport of agricultural goods.

The existing Chattogram-Dohazari metre-gauge line was established based on a survey conducted by Myanmar Railway from 1917 to 1919. Unfortunately, due to World War II, the track was never extended up to Ramu.

Now, a 100km track from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar via Ramu will be established in the first phase, followed by a 28km track from Ramu to Ghumdhum in the second phase.

The first phase also includes the construction of a 39km loop-line, 39 major bridges, 145 minor bridges and culverts, 96 level crossings, three highway crossings and nine new stations.

The project, which costs around Tk 18,034 crore, was initiated in 2016. Funding is being provided by the government of Bangladesh and the Asian Development Bank with CREC-Tama JV and CCECC-Max JV serving as project contractors.