Cox’s Bazar Rail Services Resume After Five-Day Suspension

Train services on the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar railway route have resumed after remaining suspended for five consecutive days due to severe flooding caused by persistent heavy rainfall and flash floods from surrounding hills. The restoration of operations marks the return of normal rail connectivity on one of Bangladesh’s busiest tourism corridors following extensive repair work on flood-damaged sections of the track.

Bangladesh Railway’s Eastern Zone General Manager, Md Subaktagin, confirmed on Sunday (12 July) that services had restarted from the morning after engineers completed emergency maintenance and declared the affected section safe for operation.

According to railway officials, the Tourist Express departed Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Station at 6:15 a.m. as scheduled and arrived in Chattogram before continuing its journey to the iconic Cox’s Bazar Railway Station after a planned 20-minute stop. Authorities said all other trains bound for Cox’s Bazar would also operate according to their previously announced timetables.

Explaining the restoration work, Md Subaktagin said the sections where floodwaters had submerged the railway line had been reinforced by adding fresh ballast beneath the tracks, raising the rail bed to improve resilience against waterlogging. As a result, officials do not anticipate any further disruption to train operations under the current conditions.

The disruption began on 7 July after several days of intense monsoon rainfall combined with hill runoff inundated the railway line between Chattogram and Janalihat stations. Floodwater rose to approximately two feet above the tracks, making it unsafe for trains to proceed. Although railway authorities initially monitored the situation in the hope that water levels would recede, conditions failed to improve. Trains already en route were eventually instructed to return to the nearest stations to ensure passenger safety.

On 8 July, Bangladesh Railway announced that services to Cox’s Bazar would remain suspended until water levels on the Sitakunda–Janalihat section fell sufficiently to allow safe operations. During the suspension, passengers whose journeys were cancelled were offered ticket refunds. Special arrangements were also introduced for travellers wishing to return to Dhaka, with return travel facilitated from Chattogram using the Cox’s Bazar Express.

The Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar railway has become an increasingly important transport link since the inauguration of the route, providing a faster and more comfortable alternative to road travel for tourists, business travellers and local residents. The line plays a significant role during peak holiday seasons, when thousands of passengers travel to the country’s premier seaside destination.

After five days of complete suspension, railway engineers completed the required repairs and track restoration, allowing normal operations to resume on Sunday. Railway authorities have indicated that they will continue monitoring weather conditions closely throughout the monsoon season and inspect vulnerable sections of the line to minimise the risk of further disruptions should heavy rainfall continue.