New era begins as PM opens Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar rail line today
The railway line is part of the government’s ambitious plans to develop the region and attract investment. The new rail line will reduce travel time between Cox’s Bazar and other parts of the country, making it easier and more affordable for tourists and businesses to visit the region, say stakeholders.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is inaugurating the 100-kilometre Dohazari to Cox's Bazar railway line today, establishing the first rail link to Bangladesh's southeast coast, Cox's Bazar, which will usher in a new age of trade and connectivity for the region.
Upon the opening of the iconic oyster-shaped railway station in Hajipara of Jhelongja union of Cox's Bazar, an official rail link will be established with the coastal town for the first time ever.
The railway line is part of the government's ambitious plans to develop the region and attract investment. The new rail line will reduce travel time between Cox's Bazar and other parts of the country, making it easier and more affordable for tourists and businesses to visit the region, say stakeholders.
Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League president, is scheduled to inaugurate 15 projects and lay the foundation stones of four other projects including a 14.3km channel of the Matarbari deep-sea port.
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According to the notification of the deputy commissioner, on this day, the prime minister will inaugurate 15 projects including railways and lay the foundation stones of four projects worth about Tk88,000 crore.
She is supposed to address a rally at 2:30pm in Moheshkhali's Matarbari. To welcome the PM, major strategic points of Cox's Bazar town and two sides of the roads are now adorned with banners, festoons, and billboards.
Stringent measures have been taken by law enforcement agencies to ensure foolproof security.
Cox's Bazar District Awami League general secretary, Mujibur Rahman, said they have made all necessary preparations to make this event successful.
New era begins
The railway line constructed at a cost of more than Tk18,000 crore will transform the economic landscape of the region, bringing radical changes to the business, industry, and tourism sectors.
Some 77 projects, including 25 mega projects, are currently underway in Cox's Bazar, with a total investment of Tk3 lakh crore.
Stakeholders say Cox's Bazar and Chattogram are emerging as the business hubs of South Asia, thanks to investments in railways, logistics, connectivity, and roads. The possibility of land transit with India through Chattogram and Ramgarh land port, a railway line with China through Myanmar, and land transit with South Asian countries will be created.
The region has already become an attractive destination for investors from various countries, including Japan, China, and India.
Abu Morshed Chowdhury, president of the Cox's Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told The Business Standard, "This rail link will be beneficial for various industries, including fish, salt, dry fruits, and vegetables. Economic activities will increase in the upazilas that have nine stations."
Matarbari deep-sea port: Key economic game changer
Construction of the Matarbari deep-sea port, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), began in 2016.
Stakeholders say the deep-sea port will be a game changer for the Bangladesh economy. It is expected to start loading mother vessels in 2026.
The Matarbari deep-sea port, which is modelled after Japan's Kashima port, will play a vital role in South Asian trade with ASEAN countries.
Currently, most of Bangladesh's imported goods arrive at Singapore, Colombo, Hong Kong, or Malaysia by mother vessels, as the Chattogram port can only accommodate ships with a draft of up to 10 metres. Feeder vessels then transport the goods to Chattogram.
Once the Matarbari deep-sea port is completed, any ship in the world will be able to dock there, including ships with a length of 350 metres and a draft of 18 metres, said Chattogram Port Authority's chief hydrographer M Arifur Rahman.
Lighter vessels will then transport goods from Matarbari to the Chattogram port and the Bay Terminal, reducing time and cost and speeding up transportation.
Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Md Omar Farooq said that the Matarbari deep-sea port will be a transit port like the Port Kelang, Singapore and other ports. New routes will be launched with various ports of the world including Europe and the USA.
Rail line, airport to boost tourism in Cox's Bazar
Cox's Bazar will now be accessible by rail from Dhaka and Chattogram at half the cost of a bus ride. The government's development projects in Cox's Bazar and Teknaf will further boost rail tourism. Around 60-70 lakh tourists, mostly domestic, visit Cox's Bazar annually.
The government is developing Sabrang in Teknaf, Naf and Sonadia Island in Maheshkhali, and the country's first island-based tourism economic zone to attract foreign tourists.
The Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (Beza) has signed a land lease agreement with Singapore-based Inter Asia Group to establish the Sabrang Tourism Park.
Cox's Bazar International Airport will allow tourists, traders, and investors from around the world to fly directly to and from Cox's Bazar. The runway is being extended by 1,700 feet over the sea to meet international standards. Once completed, the airport will be able to accommodate all types of international flights and aircraft.
Dev projects centering the Bay of Bengal
Arrays of development projects are underway across the vast area along the Bay of Bengal, apart from Cox's Bazar district.
The country's largest industrial city is being built on 30,000 acres of land at Sonagazi in Feni, and Mirsarai-Sitakunda in Chattogram. Recently, the government has opened the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel built under the Karnaphuli River for vehicle movement.
Construction of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) covering an area of 778 acres is underway at Anwara. A 1,320 MW coal-based power plant jointly owned by S Alam Group and China's SEPCO-3 has been set up in the Gandamra area of Banskhali near the Bay of Bengal.
Economist and former Chittagong University professor Dr Moinul Islam said the port, energy, and communication sector projects from Mirsrai on the Bay of Bengal to Cox's Bazar will have a far-reaching impact on the country's economy.
Khairul Alam Sujan, vice president of the Bangladesh Freight Forwarder Association, said the infrastructural landscape of the southern region of Chattogram has started to be transformed due to the development projects.
