Cox’s Bazar Rail Services Resume After Flood Disruption

Train services on the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar railway route have returned to normal after being suspended for five consecutive days due to severe flooding caused by persistent monsoon rain and hill runoff. Operations resumed on Sunday morning, 12 July, following the completion of emergency engineering work and comprehensive safety inspections.

The railway line, one of Bangladesh’s most significant transport corridors linking the country’s commercial capital with its premier beach destination, had remained closed since 7 July after floodwater submerged sections of the track between Chattogram and Janalihat. In several locations, water rose to nearly two feet above the railway line, making train movement unsafe and forcing Bangladesh Railway to halt services.

Mohammad Subaktagin, General Manager of Bangladesh Railway’s Eastern Zone, confirmed that scheduled operations had resumed as planned. He said the Tourist Express, which departed Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Station at 6:15 a.m., reached Chattogram on schedule before continuing towards the iconic Cox’s Bazar Railway Station after a brief stop of around 20 minutes. Other trains serving the Cox’s Bazar route also restarted according to their published timetables.

According to railway officials, extensive repair work was carried out before services were restored. Engineering teams placed fresh ballast beneath submerged sections of the track to raise and reinforce the railway line, while specialists inspected every affected stretch to ensure structural stability. Only after completing detailed technical assessments and confirming that all safety standards had been met did the authorities authorise the resumption of train operations.

The disruption began on 7 July when days of heavy rainfall, combined with powerful hill runoff from upstream areas, inundated parts of the railway corridor. The flooding severely affected the section between Chattogram and Janalihat stations, preventing trains from operating safely. Initially, several services were held at nearby stations in anticipation of improving conditions. However, as floodwater failed to recede for an extended period, railway authorities instructed those trains to return to their previous stations to avoid unnecessary risks to passengers and railway infrastructure.

On the following day, Bangladesh Railway announced that train services to Cox’s Bazar would remain suspended until water covering the track in the Sholoshahar–Janalihat section had completely drained away. To minimise inconvenience, passengers holding cancelled tickets were offered full refunds. The railway also introduced alternative travel arrangements, allowing passengers wishing to return to Dhaka to board substitute train services from Chattogram.

Over the following days, engineering personnel worked continuously to restore the damaged infrastructure. Once floodwaters subsided, crews added new ballast beneath the track, checked alignment and stability, and carried out multiple safety inspections to ensure the railway could safely accommodate regular passenger services. The route was reopened only after all technical evaluations had been successfully completed.

The Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar railway has rapidly become one of Bangladesh’s most strategically important transport links. Since its inauguration, the route has significantly improved access to Cox’s Bazar, the world’s longest natural sea beach, while also strengthening regional connectivity for residents, traders, businesses and daily commuters. The railway plays a vital role not only in supporting the country’s tourism industry but also in facilitating economic activity across southeastern Bangladesh.

The five-day suspension forced thousands of passengers to rely on road transport, resulting in longer journey times, increased travel costs and additional pressure on highways already affected by adverse weather. With train services now fully restored, travellers, local residents and tourism operators have welcomed the return of reliable rail connectivity.

Although normal operations have resumed, Bangladesh Railway said it will continue monitoring weather conditions closely throughout the monsoon season. Given the continued risk of intense rainfall and hill runoff in the region, engineering teams remain on standby to respond promptly should further weather-related damage occur. Railway officials emphasised that passenger safety will continue to take precedence over operational schedules if extreme weather once again threatens the integrity of the railway infrastructure.