Chattogram–Dohazari rail line to raised by 5 feet: State Minister

The government will raise the 47-kilometre Chattogram–Dohazari railway line by nearly five feet as part of a long-term plan to protect the Chattogram–Cox's Bazar rail corridor from flooding, State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid said.

The announcement came after the minister inspected flood-hit sections of the railway using a special rail inspection vehicle on Wednesday (July 8).

He said unprecedented rainfall and hill runoff in Chattogram—described as the heaviest in four decades—submerged sections of the railway by 15 to 21 inches, forcing the temporary suspension of train services on the Chattogram–Cox's Bazar route for safety reasons.

According to the minister, the elevation project is already in the tender process. Once completed, the upgraded rail line will be able to withstand water levels of up to three feet without disrupting train operations.

Habibur Rashid also said passengers travelling from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar would be allowed to travel to Chattogram using the same ticket, while refunds would be provided for the unused portion in line with railway regulations.

He further revealed that a feasibility study is underway for a new Dhaka–Chattogram chord line, which could shorten the Narayanganj–Cumilla route by about 80 kilometres and reduce travel time by nearly 1 hour and 20 minutes. The project also includes plans to add new locomotives and passenger coaches.

The minister blamed the encroachment of canals and water bodies in parts of Chattogram and Mirsharai for worsening waterlogging around the railway and said coordinated action would be taken against illegal encroachers.

He added that railway modernisation, including solar-powered and electric systems, remains a government priority.