CTG-COX’S BAZAR RAIL PROJECT
Security now serious concern
Railway police struggling to set up establishments for the line, as project officials say this was not part of plan
"We have prepared a full-fledged plan to set up three police stations and four outposts. To operate the new offices, we will need around 300 additional officers. We have sought land from the rail link's project director during several meetings and in letters, but no progress. With the existing workforce, it will be very difficult to ensure safety and security."
Around 73 percent of the construction work of the 100-kilometre Chattogram-Cox's Bazar rail link had been completed by August. But security arrangements for this route are still in limbo, as railway police do not have the required workforce and infrastructure to monitor this line.
Government Railway Police (GRP) has sought land for its security establishments -- which include police stations, outposts and accommodation -- from the project's top officials.
However, according to the officials, that would not be possible as this was not mentioned in the development project proposal.
The single-line, dual-gauge rail link is one of the government's fast-track projects. Top officials believe this infrastructure will change the whole socio-economic situation of Cox's Bazar. The highlight is that the rail network will establish connections with the Trans-Asian Railway.
Md Hasan Chowdhury, superintendent of police (SP) of GRP Chattogram Region, has sent several letters and mentioned the lack of security establishments in many meetings, said GRP sources.
According to sources, GRP has finalised a proposal to set up a circle office, three police stations and four outposts. To run the new establishments, Chattogram GRP has sought 300 officers from Police Headquarters.
GRP officials said after inaugurating the rail link, it will become one of the busiest lines, as tourists from all corners will visit Cox's Bazar by train. With GRP's existing workforce, it is not possible to provide security for trains and passengers.
The proposal for new establishments is now hanging, due to complications centring land.
Confirming the new proposal, SP Hasan told The Daily Star, "We have prepared a full-fledged plan to set up three police stations and four outposts. To operate the new offices, we will need around 300 additional officers."
"We have sought land from the rail link's project director during several meetings and in letters, but no progress. With the existing workforce, it will be very difficult to ensure safety and security," he said.
According to the proposal, the police stations will be set up in Patiya, Dohazari of Chandanaish upazilas, and Cox's Bazar. The outposts will be in Satkania, Lohagara, Ramu and Chakaria upazilas.
Besides, the circle office will be installed in Cox's Bazar to monitor the police stations and outposts. Accommodation will be ensured for the establishments.
According to Bangladesh Railway's progress report, 73 percent of project works have been completed. Workers have installed railway tracks stretching for 44.2 km along with other establishments. Around 15 km of tracks are being installed through a protected forest. Project officials said 50 overpasses have already been constructed.
Talking to The Daily Star, Project Director Mofizur Rahman said, "They [GRP] told us about their demand, but we have to see what is mentioned in the policy. Who will provide logistical support to the police, the railways ministry or any other body?"
"We have arranged accommodation for Railway Nirapatta Bahini (RNB) and police at the eye-catching Cox's Bazar railway police station so that tourists and passengers safely move about with their help," he mentioned.
"If there is any decision from the government in this regard [GRP's demand], they will get it," he added.
Seeking anonymity, a GRP official said, "Railway tracks are being installed through hills and forestland. When the route will be opened, criminals will become active and commit crimes like mugging and robbery. The Rohingya issue will be a headache. With no establishments along the long route, it will be impossible to maintain security sitting from Chattogram."
Contacted, GRP Additional Inspector General of Police Md Didar Ahmed said, "We have sought 1,500 officers [for the country's railway police] from the ministry via Police Headquarters, and the proposal is waiting for the green signal from the government."
"Major projects, like the metro rail in Dhaka and rail link in Cox's Bazar, are being implemented. Once they are completed, duties of GRP will multiply," he said.
Physical work on the rail link started in March 2018, eight years after it was approved in July 2010. Initially, the government decided to lay 128 kilometres of metre-gauge tracks at a cost of Tk 1,852.35 crore, but in 2014, it decided to install dual-gauge tracks for better connectivity. This raised the total cost tenfold, to Tk 18,034.47 crore.
Authorities then made more changes, like shelving plans to construct the line up to Gundum, near the Myanmar border, from Ramu, due to fund shortages.
After the project's first revision in April 2016, the deadline was set for June 2022. After a lot of hurdles, workers started installing tracks from Dohazari of Chattogram to Ramu in March 2018.
This is one of the eight fast-track projects. It is jointly funded by the government and Asian Development Bank. Works were suspended for a few weeks last year due to the pandemic and then slowed down due to the absence of Chinese nationals working for the contractors.