<div><b><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday inaugurated the much-awaited 102-kilometre Chattogram-Cox's Bazar dual-gauge single railway line setting yet another milestone in the country's communication network.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>The southern region wore a festive look as she unveiled the new rail route (from Dohazari in Chattogram to Cox’s Bazar) for train movement at a ceremony at newly constructed Cox’s Bazar Railway Station.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The premier flagged off a train and then travelled by it from Cox’s Bazar Railway Station to Ramu Railway Station.</div><div><br></div><div>She bought her own ticket from the counter of the railway station. She waved the green flag before boarding the train.</div><div><br></div><div>She also blew the whistle signalling the start of the train.</div><div><br></div><div>Addressing the inauguration programme, the prime minister said, “Today Cox's Bazar has been linked to the country's railway network.&nbsp; I am really very delighted for being able to attend the inaugural ceremony physically, " she said.</div><div><br></div><div>"I have kept my promise by inaugurating the railway. This was a longstanding demand of this region. This is a day of feeling proud," she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Talking to reporters during the train ride, the prime minister said that this train link will contribute a lot to country’s GDP and economy.</div><div><br></div><div>“Transportation of goods, people and tourists will be expedited resulting in increase the GDP and more vibrant economy,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She mentioned that Cox’s Bazar has the longest sandy sea beach in the world.</div><div><br></div><div>“But we could not build this tourist spot up to the mark. We have to make sure that tourists can come here comfortably,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>PM Hasina said that apart of tourists conveyance the trade and commerce of this area have been given importance.</div><div><br></div><div>“We are building a deep seaport, power station, building an economic zone here,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She also mentioned that Bangladesh will be linked with trans Asian railway by this rail line.</div><div><br></div><div>“This rail line will go to Ghumdhum from Ramu, later from Ghumdhum it will be linked with South and South East countries.”</div><div><br></div><div>On her arrival at the venue, the prime minister was received by Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan and local MPs.</div><div><br></div><div>Local artists greeted her with traditional songs and dances.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The railways minister presided over the programme.</div><div><br></div><div>Asian Development Bank (ADB) country director for Bangladesh Ginting and Railways Ministry secretary Md Humayun Kabir also spoke at the event. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>