An eye-catching railway station built in the shape of an oyster stands just three kilometers away from Cox’s Bazar sea beach, which is expected to become also a recreation destination. The impressive station was also unveiled Saturday (November 11, 2023) as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened the much-awaited 102-kilometre Chattogram-Cox's Bazar dual-gauge single railway line aiming to link the country’s tourist hub with the port city through the railway connectivity as well. The railway station was constructed on a 29-acre land in Hazipara area of Jhilong Union nearby Cox’s Bazar town. The modern facilities are available in the 182,000-sq feet railway station where a six-storey building and a large oyster fountain were constructed. Test run of train on Dohazari-Cox's Bazar route likely on October 15 Some 90,000 passengers are expected to use the iconic station a day. In the station, there are three large spaces for car parking. The modern facilities which are available in the station include ticket counters and reception centres, shopping mall, restaurants, luggage lockers, child care center, mosque, escalators, ATM booths, residential hotel, post office and tourist information booth. The luggage locker in the tourist town is an attractive feature as anyone can visit the sea beach or other tourist spots for a day, leaving goods in the station. In another first, PM Hasina opens Ctg-Cox's Bazar railway line Besides, the station is friendly to elderly and disabled persons. It was constructed at a cost of Tk 215 crore. Alongside the station, the 102-km rail Chattogram (Dohazari)-Cox’s Bazar rail route has eight other stations at Satkania, Lohagara, Chokoria, Dulahazra, Eidgao, Ramu, Ukhiya, and Gumdum. These stations have fully computer-based interlocking signal systems and a fully digitalised telecommunications network. Cox's Bazar wears festive look ahead of PM’s visit on Saturday In the future, the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar railway line will be connected with the under-construction Matarbari deep sea port. On April 3 in 2011, Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone for the construction of Dohazari-Cox's Bazar railway, a priority project of her government.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday (November 11, 2023) inaugurated the much-awaited 102-kilometre Chattogram-Cox's Bazar dual-gauge single railway line setting yet another milestone in the country's communication network. The southern region wore a festive look as she unveiled the new rail route (from Dohazari in Chattogram to Cox’s Bazar) for train movement at a ceremony at newly constructed Cox’s Bazar Railway Station.  The premier flagged off a train and then travelled by it from Cox’s Bazar Railway Station to Ramu Railway Station. Read: Oyster-shaped railway station adds greater tourist attraction to Cox’s Bazar She bought her own ticket from the counter of the railway station. She waved the green flag before boarding the train. She also blew the whistle signalling the start of the train. Addressing the inauguration programme, the prime minister said, “Today Cox's Bazar has been linked to the country's railway network.  I am really very delighted for being able to attend the inaugural ceremony physically, " she said. "I have kept my promise by inaugurating the railway. This was a longstanding demand of this region. This is a day of feeling proud," she said. Read: Railway Minister to inspect Dohazari-Cox's Bazar line before inauguration Talking to reporters during the train ride, the prime minister said that this train link will contribute a lot to country’s GDP and economy. “Transportation of goods, people and tourists will be expedited resulting in increase the GDP and more vibrant economy,” she said. She mentioned that Cox’s Bazar has the longest sandy sea beach in the world. “But we could not build this tourist spot up to the mark. We have to make sure that tourists can come here comfortably,” she said. PM Hasina said that apart of tourists conveyance the trade and commerce of this area have been given importance. “We are building a deep seaport, power station, building an economic zone here,” she said. She also mentioned that Bangladesh will be linked with trans Asian railway by this rail line. “This rail line will go to Ghumdhum from Ramu, later from Ghumdhum it will be linked with South and South East countries.” Read: Chinese-built railway opens via Bangladesh's Padma Bridge On her arrival at the venue, the prime minister was received by Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan and local MPs. Local artists greeted her with traditional songs and dances.  The railways minister presided over the programme. Asian Development Bank (ADB) country director for Bangladesh Ginting and Railways Ministry secretary Md Humayun Kabir also spoke at the event.