Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar Railway Line

Introduction: Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar railway line is a proposed 120km dual-gauge by the

South Asia Sub regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC).
The project will take five years to complete, and generate employment for approximately
3,500 workers in local communities. It will also enhance trade and tourism in the
southern-most parts of the country, civil works for the project began in March 2018 and
it is expected to be completed by 2022.

Literature review: This is one of the eight fast track projects. This project is jointly
funded by the government and Asian Development Bank.

In March this year, the railways minister expressed hope that Cox's Bazar will
come under the rail network within December 2022.The deadline of the project is
June next year but the pandemic-related problems and delay in getting lands from
some government agencies have delayed the project implementation, The deadline
of the project is June next year but the pandemic-related problems and delay in
getting lands from some government agencies have delayed the project
implementation.

Profile of the company:

China Railway Engineering Corporation- The China Railway Engineering

Corporation (CRECG) is a state owned holding company of China, which is
under the supervision of the state council. The company is the major shareholder
China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC), its subsidiary.

China Railway Engineering Corporation

Native name 中国铁路工程总公司

Formerly General Bureau of Capital Construction of the

Ministry of Railways

Type State-owned enterprise

Industry Holding company

1958
Founded
1990 (company)

Headquarters Beijing,China

Area served Worldwide (via subsidiaries)

Key people Chairman: Li Changjin

Revenue 741,722,810,000 renminbi (2018) 

Owner State Council of China (100%)

Parent SASAC

Subsidiaries China Railway Group Limited (54%)

Bangladesh's Toma Construction Toma : Toma Group is one of the leading
Bangladeshi  construction conglomerat based in Dhaka which specializes in government contracts.
Mohammad Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan (Manik) is the chairperson of Toma Group. Mohammad Ataur
Rahman Bhuiya is the Vice-President of the Noakhali district unit of Awami League.

Toma Group

Formation 1996

Headquarters Dhaka, Bangladesh

Region served Bangladesh

Official language Bengali

Revenue ৳1000 Crore

US$120 million (2019)

Staff 6000 (2020)

Website www.tomagroup.com.bd
Major findings: Efforts to Minimize Impacts 7. The project considered alternative
technical options to reduce land acquisition and adverse impacts. All the disputed sites
were visited by BR staff along with the technical team in order to find acceptable
solutions with the local communities to the extent possible. This led to several
adjustments in the project design with the view of minimizing impacts. Examples of this
process include:

(i) Km 8+760 a pound of cultural and historical significance with a mosque and
graveyards on both sides were avoided through realignment. The changes
have already been incorporated in a supplementary LA Plan submitted to DC
Chittagong;

(ii) (ii) Km 26+600 to 29+000 at Dohazari near Jungle Chunti area: a mango
nursery, a dairy farm, warehouse and residential quarters of the Bangladesh
Forest Department were avoided;

(iii) (iii) Km 56+500 to 61+500 near Dulahazara: the local Memorial Christian
Hospital (MCH) was avoided using an alternative alignment which originally
crossed into the hospital compound; and

(iv) (iv)Km 99 +800: the alignment of the access road to Cox‟s Bazar (CXB)
Station was reviewed at the request of the local community. The straightening
of the road was identified as more acceptable by all parties.

Project Description: The Project is located in the districts of Chittagong and Cox‟s
Bazar and spans across six Upazila (sub-districts) 3 and 59 mouzas (land revenue
units). The proposed Right of Way (RoW) for the alignment is between 50 m and 60 m
over the 100.831 km length of the alignment. The total length of the proposed route is
about 100.831 km.

The Project will include: 40 bridges, including 6 large bridges (larger than 100 meters);
9 railway stations from Dohazari to Cox‟s Bazar. Dohazari station will be renovated and
eight new stations will be constructed; Cox‟s Bazar station will be built as a special
station of larger size, with sizeable access road and rail yard; and Freight facility in
Ramu.

Conclusion: The rail line, which has been marked as a fast-track project by
the government, will be completed in 2024, officials said. The 129-km rail-
line will go through Chandanaish, Satkania and Lohagara upazilas of
Chattagram district, Chakaria, Ramu, Cox's Bazar Sadar and Ukhiya upazilas
of Cox's Bazar district and Gumdum upazila of Bandarban district near the
Myanmar frontier
All the railway stations will have computer-based interlock signaling
system and digital telecommunication network. Moreover, three large
bridges will be built over the Sangu, Matamuhuri and Banskhali rivers,
along with 43 small bridges, 201 culverts and 144 level crossings. Two
highway crossings will be constructed in Ramu and Cox's Bazar and a
flyover at Kewchhiya area of Satkania.Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
laid the foundation of the project in April 2011.

An official said an iconic railway station in Cox's Bazar is being built in

the shape of an oyster where all international standard facilities will be
available.

Introduction- Wikipedia and The Daily Star

Literature review- Chattogram Apr 9:

Profile of the company: Wikipedia and The Daily Star.

Major findings:
http://railway.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/railway.portal.gov.bd/page/
4ac1058d_3b0b_4c98_94c4_c903e6ee967e/RP(Dohazari-Coxsbazar).pdf

Conclusion and Recommendation:

https://www.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/chattogram-coxs-bazar-rail-line-to-be-
completed-in-2024-official-1631250293