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The government has approved an additional expenditure of Tk 421.76 crore for the construction of the single-line dual-gauge railway from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar via Ramu, and from Ramu to Ghundhum near the Myanmar border, raising the total project cost to Tk 3,451.13 crore.
The approval came during a Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) meeting held Tuesday at the Secretariat, chaired by Finance Advisor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed. The Ministry of Railways placed a proposal to increase civil works costs, which was approved after evaluation.
The original civil works contract, worth Tk 3,029.37 crore, was signed in August 2017 with joint venture firm CTEC–Max JV. However, due to field-level challenges during implementation, several construction elements required modifications, resulting in additional costs. These included an increase in the number of box culverts from 60 to 136, construction of foot overbridges at five stations, extension of culvert spans from 476 meters to 825 meters, and deeper bridge piles, among other structural changes.
Officials said the variations were necessary to ensure the durability and functionality of the railway, given the project’s complex terrain and technical requirements.
The strategic project is part of Bangladesh’s broader connectivity goals, aiming to strengthen transportation infrastructure in the southeast and potentially link the country to Myanmar in the future.
