The much-anticipated journey from the capital city to Cox's Bazar by train is on the verge of realization, as the construction of the Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar rail line is nearing completion and awaits official inauguration.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to inaugurate the rail line on Saturday, November 11. This milestone will provide travelers a new option to travel to Cox’s Bazar, the nation’s major tourist destination, with existing road, and air communication.
In preparation for the inauguration, last-minute arrangements are currently underway. Notably, an eight-coach trial train, originating from the port city of Chattogram, recently made its journey to Cox’s Bazar following the renovation of the Kalurghat Bridge and the completion of the Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar rail line.
After the inauguration, commercial operations on this route are expected to commence within a couple of weeks, according to the project authorities.
Project Director of Dohazari-Cox's Bazar Railway Line Engineer Md Sabuktagin told Bangladesh Post that after the inauguration by the Prime Minister on Saturday, the commercial train operation may start from November 20 or November 25.
There are plans to operate six pairs of trains from Dhaka and Chattogram on Cox’s Bazar route.
Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan told Bangladesh Post, “When the Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar railway line is opened, it will bring good news for the travel enthusiasts. If this railway route is opened, it will be convenient for those who are travel thirsty to go directly from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar. Business will increase.”
The railway sector of the country has undergone significant advancements in recent times, poised to revolutionize the sector and provide passengers with a more convenient and cost-effective travel experience.
At present, the railway is undergoing more than 25 different development projects. A good number of them are about to end while few of them are awaiting official inauguration.
The Padma Bridge rail line, Dohazari- Cox’s Bazar rail line, Akhaura- Agartola rail line, and Khulna- Mongla rail line will be the game changers for the country and regional transportation. With these four projects, a total of 262 kilometer new rail routes will be added to existing rail lines.
The existing railway has a total route of 2,956 km. It will now increase to 3217 km. All four railways are potential routes for the Trans-Asian Railway. Starting from Frankfurt, Germany, this trans-Asian rail route will bring 32 countries of the world, including Bangladesh, under the same network.
According to experts and the project people, once both the Padma Bridge rail line and Akhaura- Agartala rail line projects become commercially operational, people will be able to easily travel to India. As this will reduce the distance and sufferings of the people.
Railway minister Nurul Islam Sujon earlier said that when the train operation will start on the Mongla-Khulna railway, new horizons will be opened in the trade and commerce of the southwestern region, including the Mongla port. Because not only with the entire country, they have plans to develop the railway as an international rail route. Through this, the trade of the port will be accelerated.
Railway minister also said that if the train runs from Dhaka to Bhanga over the Padma Bridge, the people of the southern region will benefit greatly, the traffic and trade will increase too.