The Dohazari-Cox's Bazar railway project, which is now 25-kilometer visible and achieved overall 69 percent progress, is likely to delay for another year due to Covid-19, land acquisition complications, delay in removal of electric poles and global unrest.
However, the authorities concerned are said that the project may be delayed but the construction cost will not go up.
Out of 102-kilometer Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar railway construction, the 25-km railway line is now visible. The work of the entire project including filling of soil, construction of bridges and underpasses, construction of railway station has been completed 69 percent.
However, the remaining 31 per cent work of the Rail Line Project is expected to be completed by June this year. But officials involved in the project fearing that it will take another year to complete the work.
For this, a proposal has been made to the ministry to extend the duration of the project. The proposal to extend the term without increasing the expenditure is awaiting the approval of the Ministry of Planning.
According to project details, the total length of Dohazari-Cox's Bazar railway is 102 route kilometers. Of these, 25 kilometers railway line has been completed covering Cox's Bazar Sadar, Eidgaon, Chakaria, Harbang and Ramu areas. Work is underway to set up the remaining 77 km railway line. Besides, 85 percent of the land filling work has been completed so far. Some 80 percent work of major and minor bridges and culverts is completed.
Under the project one big railway bridge is being constructed over Sangu River, two over Matamuhuri river and one over Bankkhali River. The construction work of these big railway bridges has already been completed. A total of nine railway stations are being constructed.
Meanwhile, the work of Dulahajra railway station is nearing completion. Dohazari, Lohagara, Harbang, Chakaria, Eidgaon and Cox's Bazar railway stations are under construction. Construction of railway stations at Satkania and Ramu has also started.
Project Director (PD) Mofizur Rahman told media that work on the Dohazari-Cox's Bazar railway line was somewhat slow due to various reasons including Covid-19, land acquisition complications, delay in removal of electric poles. After overcoming everything, we started working in full force from the beginning of this year. However, due to the effects of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, some new complications have arisen in the project work.
