Overview of the Chattogram-Dohazari Railway Gauge Conversion
The Chattogram-Dohazari railway gauge conversion project is a large-scale rail infrastructure program to convert the roughly 100 km section from Chattogram to Dohazari in southeastern Bangladesh from the existing meter gauge (1,000 mm) to broad gauge and dual gauge (1,676 mm / 1,000 mm). This corridor is a core segment of the Cox's Bazar tourism railway and the Myanmar-linked Trans-Asian Railway, making it one of Bangladesh Railway's highest-priority modernization programs.
100 km
Section
Chattogram to Dohazari
$1.5B
Project Cost
Approx. Tk 180B
1,000 to 1,676 mm
Gauge Conversion
Including dual gauge
ADB + GoB
Funding
Loans plus public funds
5 years
Construction Period
2022 to 2027
14
Stations
New and upgraded
Construction Scope and Package Structure
Key Packages for the Chattogram-Dohazari Gauge Conversion
| Package | Section / Scope | Scale | Estimated Value | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CP-1 | Chattogram-Patiya (35 km) | Gauge conversion + stations | $450M | ADB |
| CP-2 | Patiya-Dohazari (65 km) | Gauge conversion + bridges | $550M | ADB |
| S&T | Signaling and communications | CTC across full section | $200M | ADB |
| Rolling Stock | Locomotive and coach procurement | DEL + DMU | $200M | GoB |
| Consulting | PMC (project management) | Supervision + design | $100M | ADB |
Technical Details and Gauge Conversion Method
Gauge Conversion Technology
Current GaugeMeter gauge 1,000 mm
Target GaugeBroad gauge 1,676 mm (dual gauge)
Conversion MethodSleeper replacement + rail relocation
Design Speed120 km/h (freight 80 km/h)
Major Structures
Bridges45 sites (12 new, 33 upgraded)
TunnelsNone (flat alignment)
Stations14 new or upgraded
Level Crossings38 grade separations
01
Project Background: Trans-Asian Railway Connectivity
The Chattogram-Dohazari section is a key link in the Trans-Asian Railway (TAR) connecting Bangladesh and Myanmar. It connects onward from Dohazari to Cox's Bazar, which opened in 2025, and is ultimately intended to extend to Myanmar through the Gundum border area. The gauge conversion will enable through-operation with the Dhaka-Chattogram broad-gauge trunk line and remove the transfer and transshipment bottleneck currently concentrated around Chattogram station.
02
Bidding Structure and Procurement Method
ADB-funded packages such as CP-1, CP-2, and S&T are expected to follow ADB international competitive bidding (ICB) procedures, open to firms from ADB member countries. With package values in the $400-550 million range, large joint ventures are effectively required, and competition among Chinese, Indian, Japanese, and Korean companies is likely. The rolling stock package is planned as a separate procurement funded directly by the Government of Bangladesh.
03
Opportunities for Korean Companies
Opportunities include: (1) the signaling and telecommunications package, where Korean rail signaling capabilities such as ETCS Level-2 and CTC can be leveraged; (2) civil works participation in CP-1 and CP-2 through joint ventures involving firms such as Korea E&C, Korea Construction C, or 코리아SK Ecoplant; (3) rolling stock proposals including Korea Rotem DMU and DEL platforms; and (4) PMC consulting supported by experts from KRRI and KOTI.
04
Risk Factors and Response Measures
Major risks include: (1) service disruption during gauge conversion on an active railway, requiring phased implementation with night work and section-by-section execution; (2) land acquisition delays, making prior confirmation of EIA and RAP completion important; (3) volatility in equipment procurement prices, which calls for careful review of escalation clauses; and (4) compliance with ADB environmental and social safeguards, where Korean firms can emphasize their ESG execution capacity.
Project Timeline
2021
F/S and DPP approval
→↓
2022
ADB loan signed
→↓
2023
ICB tendering and awards
→↓
2024-25
CP-1 and CP-2 construction starts
→↓
2026
S&T installation begins
→↓
2027
Completion and test runs
BR Laksham to Chattogram Railway ProjectAnalysis of railway modernization on an adjacent corridor
BR Dhirasram Workshop ProjectAnalysis of railway rolling stock maintenance facilities
The Chattogram-Dohazari gauge conversion is a strategic project for both Bangladesh Railway modernization and Trans-Asian Railway connectivity. With roughly $1.5 billion in ADB-backed international competitive bidding, Korean firms have practical entry points in signaling and communications, civil JV participation, rolling stock supply, and PMC consulting. In particular, the $200 million S&T package is a promising segment where Korean rail signaling technology may offer a strong competitive position.
railwaygauge-conversionChattogramDohazariinfrastructure
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