British and Pakistan could not, Bangladesh could

In 1890, the British government annexed the port city of Chittagong (Presently Rakhine state of Myanmar) Realizing the importance of rail communication, the first survey work was carried out. Then 1893, The survey was carried out in different stages till 1903. Chittagong in 1917 to 1921–A 50 km railway was built up to Dohazari. But due to the First World War, the remaining part of the railway up to Cox’s Bazar was not built as planned.

British in Bengal in 1757, Bihar, Orissa; Occupied Chittagong in 1760 and Arakan in 1860. After Pakistan became independent in 1953, the East Pakistan Provincial Government conducted a survey to estimate the possible cost of this project. But as some inconsistencies were observed in the survey, survey work was again carried out in 1957. Later the project did not go ahead.

After independence, the railway project was limited to the promises of various political parties, but in 1998, with the financial support of the German government, it was proposed to be implemented as the 2nd route of the Trans-Asian Railway. However, although it was not accepted, a tender was issued on September 11, 2000 for the appointment of consultants for feasibility studies, Where 4 companies participate. When Awami League lost power the following year, the railway project was again put on hold.

After the Awami League came back to power in 2009, the movement started again with the project. In 2010, an initiative was taken to construct a meter gauge railway line from Dohazari to Ramu to Cox’s Bazar and from Ramu to Ghumdhum on the Myanmar border. The project in July of that year (DPP) get approval At that time its cost was estimated at 1852 crore 35 lakh taka.

On April 3, 2011, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina near the bus terminal in Cox’s Bazar suburb called ‘Dohajari–Ramu–Cox’s Bazar’ and ‘Ramu–Ghumdhum laid the foundation stone of the meter gauge railway construction project. But the project stopped due to lack of funds. Later in 2017, the money allocation for the project was increased to 18 thousand 35 crores. Then construction work started in 2018. It was financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) And Bangladesh Govt.

After the completion of the construction work, a GIBR special train that left Chittagong Railway Station at 9:20 am on November 5 reached Cox’s Bazar iconic station building at 6:20 pm that day. thousands of–The inspection train was run last Sunday to verify whether everything is in order for the new railway line in Cox’s Bazar.

Chittagong–The railway distance to Cox’s Bazar is 150 km. Dohazari to Satkania, Iron wheel, Chakriya, This railway line has reached the tourist town of Cox’s Bazar through Ramu, crossing the mountains and rivers. There are 9 railway stations on this route, Four major and 47 minor bridges, 149 box culverts and 52 round culverts. Besides, overpasses have been constructed for the movement of wild elephants and wildlife due to the establishment of railway lines in protected forest areas, Which is the first in South Asia.

Meanwhile, a spectacular iconic railway station has been built on 29 acres of land in Hajipara area of ​​Jhelongja Union, three kilometers east of the district town. The station building, made in the shape of an oyster, has an area of ​​182,000 square feet. The construction of the six-storey station is the opportunity of various modern stations in the world–Benefits are taken into account. There are star quality hotels here, shopping mall, Restaurant, Child care center, post office, Convention Center, Information booth, ATM booth, place of prayer, All modern facilities including luggage lockers. The construction of the railway station has cost 215 crore rupees.

thousands of–By constructing the Cox’s Bazar railway line, the 45th district of the country was connected to the railway. It is a priority mega project of the government. Through this, the people concerned hope to be able to travel safely and comfortably in the city of the longest beach in the world.

Writer and researcher Nurul Aziz Chowdhury said, British tried to build railway line in Cox’s Bazar, could not Pakistan tried, could not And we got railway line after 53 years of independence. Finally we Bengalis got it.