The oyster-shaped iconic railway station in Cox’s Bazar, located just six kilometres from the town’s beach in Chander Para, continues to face severe operational deficits. Constructed at an estimated cost of £21.5 million (approximately 236 crore BDT) and inaugurated on 11 November 2023, the terminal has completed two and a half years of existence. Despite the creation of extensive physical infrastructure, the majority of promised passenger services and amenities remain entirely non-functional.
The 1.87 million square foot, fully air-conditioned six-storey station precinct spans 29 acres of land. It operates as the terminus for the 102-kilometre Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar railway corridor. Despite being highly profitable, the line suffers from a lack of additional train deployments, a total absence of freight services, and escalating safety hazards that have led to significant loss of life.
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Internal Structural Provisions versus Present Reality
The comprehensive design of the six-storey terminal building was structurally allocated to host distinct public and commercial services across different levels:
| Floor Level | Designed Infrastructural Amenities | Current Operational Status |
| Ground Floor | Information desk, mosque, children’s play area, passenger lounge, footbridge, luggage lockers | Operational infrastructure is locked or completely non-functional |
| Second Floor | Shopping mall, childcare facility, commercial restaurants | Non-operational; entirely closed to the public |
| Third Floor | 39-room star-rated luxury hotel | Non-operational; idle infrastructure |
| Fourth to Sixth Floors | Restaurants, childcare units, conference halls, railway administrative offices | Only administrative offices are occupied; commercial zones are closed |
| Exterior Forecourt | Oyster-inspired water fountain, dual vehicle parking bays | Fountain is non-functional; entrance gates remain locked |
At the time of inauguration, authorities stated that the terminal would eliminate the absolute necessity for immediate hotel bookings. Tourists were promised a secure locker system where luggage could be deposited for a fee upon arriving on overnight trains, allowing them to visit the beach and return for evening departures. Contractors from Bangladesh’s Max Infrastructure Limited confirmed that all construction works were completed and the facility was formally handed over to Bangladesh Railway last March.
However, on-site assessments reveal that the primary oyster-fountain entrance remains barricaded, forcing hundreds of passengers from arriving trains to squeeze through a single narrow exit on the eastern platform whilst departing passengers simultaneously rush inward. Escalators and luggage scanners remain switched off.
“We had no idea this aesthetic railway station would be in such a state. There is only a single functional toilet, leading to long queues of men, women, and children. Dragging heavy luggage while carrying children all the way to the parking lot is extremely frustrating.”
— Kamrul Hassan, a passenger from Dhaka.
Other commuters expressed identical grievances. Nazmul Huda, a businessman from Dhaka, noted that the designated prayer spaces and ground-floor amenities are entirely locked. Fazlul Karim, a tourist from Rajshahi, highlighted that the absence of functional luggage lockers forces visitors to immediately hire transport into the town purely to store their bags. Ticket collectors, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that managing incoming and outgoing passenger flows through a single gate causes frequent arguments.
Unprotected Level Crossings and Security Faults
The broader 18,034 crore BDT Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar railway line was executed under a government fast-track priority framework beginning in July 2018. It was constructed in two distinct tranches by a consortium including China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC), China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), and Bangladeshi firms Toma Construction Company and Max Infrastructure Limited.
Commercial train operations commenced on 1 December 2023. While the line initially saw one pair of trains, it now accommodates four pairs of trains running six days a week. Despite carrying 4,000 passengers daily, the direct trains stop only in Chittagong, completely bypassing the nine sub-stations built along the 102-kilometre corridor, which deprives local communities of access.
The rapid implementation of train services has created severe safety risks due to an acute shortage of track personnel. Out of 72 level crossings along the entire route, 56 lack physical barriers or permanent gatekeepers. Railway Police records show that 33 people have been killed along the tracks over the last 21 months due to train collisions at unmonitored level crossings or track-walking accidents. On the night of 13 October last year, an wild elephant was also struck and killed by a train.
Administrative data reveals that the Ministry of Finance has not yet approved the necessary permanent manpower allocations for the line. Temporary staff have been deployed unevenly across the sections:
Ramu-Cox’s Bazar Section: Only one out of eight level crossings has a gatekeeper.
Dulahazara-Islamabad Section (13 km): Only one out of twelve level crossings is monitored.
Chakaria-Dulahazara Section (11 km): Only three out of nine level crossings have gatekeepers.
Commercial Stagnation and Missing Cargo Traffic
The ongoing delay in launching dedicated freight trains has generated substantial criticism from local business leaders. Abduস Sukkur, President of the Cox’s Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industries, stated that the absence of cargo services prevents the efficient nationwide distribution of locally produced salt, dried fish, marine fish, and shrimp. It similarly restricts the transit of goods imported from Myanmar via the Teknaf land port.
Abul Kashem Sikdar, President of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel Guest House Cottage Owners’ Association, emphasized that 7 to 8 million tourists visit the region annually. Their primary transit option remains the dangerous, two-lane Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar highway, where a standard three-hour journey routinely takes six to seven hours. Increasing the frequency of trains would provide a safer alternative for these travellers.
Mukiim Khan, General Secretary of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel Resort Owners’ Association, warned that the iconic station remains nothing more than an empty shell for holidaymakers. Leaving major commercial segments idle causes the infrastructure to degrade while depriving the government of vital non-fare revenues.
Administrative Responses
In response to infrastructure criticisms, Station Manager Golam Rabbani stated that the entire building would be handed over to a private commercial entity in July, which will fully activate all passenger services.
Project Director and General Manager (East) of Bangladesh Railway, Md. Suboktagin, stated that basic operational activities, the waiting hall, and luggage scanners are currently functioning. He stated that the formal tendering process for commercial operations would be finalized by 30 June, allowing a private operator to assume full maintenance, commercial, and security duties in July.
Regarding track safety, Md. Suboktagin asserted that all level crossings are legally authorized and feature warning signs, adding that 46 pedestrian underpasses have been built to facilitate safe crossing. He acknowledged the manpower shortages but stated that efforts to place staff are ongoing. Regarding freight transport, he confirmed that discussions to introduce cargo trains remain underway. Ayasur Rahman, President of the Cox’s Bazar Bachao Andolan, urged the immediate installation of automated signaling, emergency gatekeeper recruitment, and public awareness campaigns to educate local residents on railway safety laws.