Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar trains to run in September: Railways minister

Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan talks to journalists on the premises of the under-construction iconic railway station building in Cox’s Bazar after inspecting the progress of the ongoing Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar rail line project on Tuesday (May 16, 2023).

Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan on Tuesday (May 16) said the train service on the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route will be launched in September this year.

“Out of the 10 priority projects of the government, two projects – the Padma Bridge Rail Link and the Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar new rail line construction project – are running under the Railway Ministry….the government is trying its level best to complete the work (of Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar rail line) by next August and launch the train service in September,” he said.

The minister said this while talking to journalists on the premises of the under-construction iconic railway station building in Cox’s Bazar after inspecting the progress of the ongoing Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar rail line project, said an official handout.

Sujan said the overall progress of the project is 84 per cent. “Cox’s Bazar iconic station building, which is one of the few in neighbouring countries, is a matter of pride for all of us,” he added.

Replying to a question about whether the Kalurghat Bridge would create any obstacle to the launching of the train service, the minister said, “An expert team is working to renovate the Kalurghat Bridge. On the basis of their recommendations, initiatives have been taken to renovate the bridge. There will be no problem in running the train”.

Replying to another question, he said the government has a plan to run a modern train on the route.

Additional Director General (Infrastructure) of Bangladesh Railway Md Shahidul Islam and Project Director Mofizur Rahman were present on the occasion, among others.