Overview of the BR Chattogram-Dohazari Dual Gauge Project
Bangladesh Railway (BR) is advancing a dual gauge railway project spanning roughly 101 km from Chattogram to Dohazari. The project upgrades the existing single-line meter gauge corridor into a double-track dual gauge line that can accommodate both broad gauge (1,676 mm) and meter gauge (1,000 mm) operations, enabling direct connectivity with the Dhaka-Chattogram broad gauge trunk line and substantially expanding transport capacity for the Cox's Bazar tourism corridor.
Package Structure and Tender Status
| Package | Scope | Section (km) | Value | Procurement Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CW-01 | Civil works + track (north) | 0-35 | $380M | ADB ICB |
| CW-02 | Civil works + track (south) | 35-101 | $420M | ADB ICB |
| EM-01 | Electrical + mechanical systems | Full route | $150M | ADB ICB |
| SIG-01 | Signaling, telecom, and CTC | Full route | $180M | ADB ICB |
| PMC | Project management consulting | Full route | $80M | QCBS |
| RS-01 | Rolling stock procurement (DMU) | 10 trainsets | $70M | GoB NCB |
Technical Comparison: Current Line vs Post-Completion Configuration
Implementation Timeline
The BR Chattogram-Dohazari dual gauge project is a large-scale railway infrastructure investment backed by $950 million under the ADB MFF framework. Once the line is converted to dual gauge double track, transport capacity is expected to quadruple, and Korean firms may find export openings in signaling and CTC systems ($180 million), rail materials, sleepers, and DMU rolling stock. Close monitoring of the Tranche 2 approval schedule and the SIG-01 prequalification process will remain essential.