Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday inaugurated the much-awaited 102-kilometre Chattogram-Cox`s Bazar dual-gauge single railway line setting yet another milestone in the country`s communication network.
The southern region wore a festive look as she unveiled the new rail route (from Dohazari in Chattogram to Cox’s Bazar) for train movement at a ceremony at newly constructed Cox’s Bazar Railway Station.
The premier flagged off a train and then travelled by it from Cox’s Bazar Railway Station to Ramu Railway Station.
Addressing the inauguration programme, the prime minister said, “Today Cox`s Bazar has been linked to the railway network. I am really very delighted for being present at the inaugural ceremony physically. I have kept my promises with inaugurating the railway. This was a longstanding demand of this region. The demand was met today. This is a day of feeling proud.”
On her arrival at the venue, the Prime Minister was received by Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan along with local MPs welcomed her while local artists with traditional songs and dance performed dances and songs.
Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan presided over the programme where Asian Development Bank (ADB) country director for Bangladesh Ginting and Railways Ministry secretary Dr Md Humayun Kabir also spoke at the programme.
A documentary on the rail line project was screened at the programme.
The new rail line will ensure fast and smooth train services from Chattogram to the tourist town Cox`s Bazar.
In the future, the Chattogram-Cox`s Bazar railway line will be connected with the under-construction Matarbari deep sea port.
The first-ever railway to connect Chattagram with Cox`s Bazar has nine stations at Satkania, Lohagara, Chokoria, Dulahazra, Eidgao, Ramu, Cox`s Bazar Sadar, Ukhiya, and Gumdum.
These stations have fully computer-based interlocking signal systems and a fully digitalised telecommunications network.
On April 3 in 2011, PM Hasina laid the foundation stone for the construction of Dohazari-Cox`s Bazar railway, a priority project of her government.
The fast-track mega railway project was implemented at a cost of Tk 18034.47 crore and financed by Asian Development Bank and Bangladesh government.
The commercial operations on the new railway line will start next month.
As part of Trans-Asian Railway (TAR) network this is also expected to improve access to Myanmar and beyond.
It will pass through eight upazilas including the Chandanaish, Satkania and Lohagara in Chattogram district and the Chakaria, Cox`s Bazar Sadar, Ramu and Ukhia upazilas in Cox`s Bazar district.
The line will begin at Dohazari village and continue southwards to Cox`s Bazar. The first 29km segment will run across flat, open land in Chattogram district, while the next 33km will travel through agricultural land and forests in the Chakaria Upazila of Cox`s Bazar District.
During the project`s second phase, the rail line will be extended to the Myanmar border as well as the under-construction deep-sea port on Matarbari Island. The extended part will have two stations - Ukhia and Ghumdhum.
It will have 9 computer-based interlock signal systems, 9 digital telecommunication systems.
Bridges have been constructed over Sangu, Matamuhuri and Bakkhali rivers. Apart from this, there are 43 small bridges, 201 culverts, a flyover in Keuchia area of Satkania, 144 level crossings and two highway crossings in Ramu and Cox`s Bazar areas.
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