The government is going to select two joint venture companies to construct a single-line dual-gauge railway track from Chittagong to Cox’s Bazar via Ramu to Gundum in Myanmar at a cost of Tk. 6,900 crore. The move follows the government signing a loan agreement worth USD 300 million with the Asian Development Bank (ADB)

for the Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar railway project on June 17. Sources said a railway ministry proposal in this regard would be placed at the next meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Purchase soon. The government is likely to select CT Joint Venture for the Lot-1 work of the proposed project that involves Tk. 3029.37 crore, while CCECC-Max JV may be selected for Lot-2 worth Tk. 3,869.42 crore, the sources added.   Talking to The Independent, a senior railway ministry official said they will give the work order for construction after getting approval from the purchase committee. “Rail connectivity to Cox’s Bazar will boost tourism as the passengers will be able to reach the district in only six hours,” he added.

“The new rail link will also form part of the Trans-Asian Rail Route connecting Bangladesh to other regional neighbours including China, Myanmar and Thailand,” the official said.

He also said that the 100km dual-gauge rail track was taken up as a fast-track project by the government and it was likely to be completed by 2022.

Railway ministry sources said the rail line will start from Dohazari village in Chittagong and extend southwards to Xilongxa in Cox’s Bazar through seven upazilas—Chandanaish, Satkania and Lohagara in Chittagong and Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Ramu and Ukhia in Cox’s Bazar.