Aiming to bring the tourist city of Cox's Bazar under the railway network, the construction work on 100.83 kilometer Dohazari-Ramu-Cox's Bazar single-line dual-gauge rail track will begin in July, 2017.
On 28 September 2016, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved around Tk. 12,000 crore (US$ 1.5 billion) for the mega project. This loan comprises the largest ever investment in railways by ADB.
Bangladesh Railway has already invited tender for the TK 18,034 crore to construct 100.83 kilometer single-line dual-gauge track from Dohazari to Cox's Bazar via Ramu and another 28.752 kilometer single-line dual-gauge track from Ramu to Gundum near Myanmar border. Of the total project cost, Tk. 6,034 crore will come from the national exchequer while the remaining Tk. 12000 crore (USD 1.5 billion) will be available as project assistance from ADB. ADB will release the fund in 4 phase (US$ 300, 400, 500, 300 million).
Acquisition of some 1,742 acres of land is near to complete while the ADB team has completed the updated feasibility study of the project. The government planned to complete the track from Dohazari-Ramu-Cox's Bazar portion by 2020 though the full project is expected to be completed by 2022.
The project also aims to establish link with Trans Asian Railway Corridor.
Railway sources said the project work got delayed due to the uncertainty of fund from the development partner and later, it was instrumental to set up a dual-gauge railway track instead of single line meter gauge one.
On 19 April 2016, The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) at its 27th meeting approved the single-line dual-gauge rail project. Earlier on July 6, 2010, the ECNEC approved the project for constructing only a single-line meter gauge track. On September 9, 2014, the government decided to turn the single line meter gauge project into dual gauge project.
The railway construction project is a long-awaited one, as the Burmese Railway conducted its feasibility study for the first time in 1890 to establish transport connection between the port cities of Akyab and Chittagong. But the Second World War foiled its implementation. In 1958, the East Bengal Railway surveyed a fresh for setting up a railway line from Chittagong to Cox's Bazar, which also failed. Japan Railway Technical Services conducted another traffic survey for the railway project in 1971. But after 1975 the project is abandoned. Again when the Awami League government came to power in 1996, another round of feasibility study was conducted in 1998, but the next government thrown the project away considering it unrealistic. At last, the AL led government undertook the project again in 2010.
In the total 128 kilometer rail-line project, eleven railway stations will be constructed in Dohazari, Satkania, Lohagara, Harbang, Chakaria, Dulahazara, Islamabad, Ramu, Cox's Bazar, Ukhia and Gundum with computer-based interlock signaling system.
Dohazari-Ramu: 88 kilometer
Ramu-Cox’s Bazar: 12 kilometer
Ramu-Gundum: 28 kilometer
The government is rehabilitating the 47-km Chittagong-Dohazari section with its own funds. The Government of the Republic of Korea plans to finance the replacement of the road cum Railway Bridge over Karnaphuli River in Chittagong, in this 47 kilometer portion.
In the new 128 kilometer rail line, six large bridges over the Sangu, Matamuhuri and Bakkhali rivers, as well as the Idgaon Chara tributary, 52 medium bridges and 190 small rail bridges, 118 level-crossings and two underpasses will also be constructed. 26,000 passengers per day will be able to arrive and same can left Cox’s Bazar using this railway.
The detailed design for the new rail line was provided by SMEC.
The project would play an important role in raising the GDP growth, considering the economic hub of Chittagong and Cox's Bazar.