Test run of train on Dohazari-Cox's Bazar route likely on October 15

The trial run of a train on Dohazari-Cox's Bazar route is expected to be conducted on 15 October as 92% of work on the railway route has been completed, said the project director.

The trial run of the train will be conducted in the presence of Railway Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujon, Mafizur Rahman, director of Dohazari--Cox's Bazar rail project told UNB on Thursday.

The construction work of an iconic rail station, culvert, level crossing and highway crossing is almost finished, he said.

The 102-kilometer Dohazari-Cox's Bazar rail project is almost finished and now it is ready for train movement, said Mafizur Rahman.

"Already all preparations have been taken to conduct a trial run on the route and a locomotive with six bogies will run on the route first. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the rail route at the end of October. Later, the residents of Dhaka will enjoy the Dhaka-Cox's Bazar rail route later," he said.

According to the project officials, under the project, a 102-km new dual gauge single railway line from Dohazari to Cox's Bazar has been built at a cost of Tk 18,000 crore.

Already an Oyster-shaped international standard railway station has been built in Cox's Bazar town and seven more stations from Dohazari to Cox's Bazar were built while an overpass was also constructed to facilitate the movement of  elephants and other wild animals as the rail line crosses a reserved forest area, said the project director.

Besides, the repair work of the 450 meters of the trail tracks which were damaged due to the recent floods was done, he said.

Rezaul Karim, president of Cox's Bazar Tourist Traders Association, said the number of tourists could increase by three times with the launching of the rail route.

Zahidul Islam, a resident of Cox's Bazar, said the residents of the district have been deprived of train services for a long but the Dohazari-Cox's Bazar project will make their dream come true.

Mohammad Shaheen Imran, deputy commissioner of Cox's Bazar, said the project work is almost finished and if everything remains okay the trail run of train on the rail route will be conducted on October 15.

Eight rail stations

According to the project officials, there are eight stations along the 102-km railway including Satkania, Lohagara, Chakaria, Dulahazara, Eidgaon, Ramu and Cox's Bazar Sadar.

To facilitate this, three big bridges have been constructed on the Sangu, Matamuhuri and Bakkhali rivers. Besides, 43 small bridges, 201 culverts and 144 level crossings have been constructed on the railway.

A flyover was constructed in Keochia area of Satkania, and two highway crossings in Ramu and Cox's Bazar areas.

An overpass of 50 metres and three underpasses were constructed for the movement of elephants and other wildlife.

International standard rail station in Cox's Bazar sadar upazila

A spectacular iconic railway station was constructed on 29 acres of land in the Hajipara area of Jhelongja Union, seven kilometers east-north of Cox's Bazar Sadar, said the project director.

The area of the six-storey station building is 1,82,000 square feet. Three platforms of 650 metres in length and 12 meters in width were constructed near the iconic building.

Besides, a railway residential area has been built next to it. Apart from residential hotels, the station also has facilities like canteen, lockers and car parking.

Tourists can leave their luggage in the station lockers and spend the day at the beach. At least 46,000 people can travel through this station a day, the project director added.

On April 3, 2011, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone for the construction of the railway between Dohazari-Ramu-Cox's Bazar and Ramu-Ghumdhum.