Rail Minister Habibur Rashid said preparations are under way to increase Cox’s Bazar-bound services from four to five train pairs.
He said the four existing pairs operate from Dhaka and Chattogram.
The minister said it had not yet been decided whether the added service would run on the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar or Dhaka–Cox’s Bazar route.
During a visit to Cox’s Bazar, Rashid said another train pair would be launched during August.
In separate comments at Chattogram station, he described the fifth pair as a plan for which necessary preparations were being taken.
Rashid also said the government is examining private-sector management of the Cox’s Bazar iconic railway station.
He described the station as a potential tourism-oriented rail hub, while saying the effectiveness and public-friendliness of private operation were still being assessed.
The assessment includes the station’s infrastructure, security and environmental issues, as well as passenger-service standards on the Cox’s Bazar-bound line.
Rashid said a feasibility study is under way for a Narayanganj–Cumilla chord line intended to shorten the Dhaka–Chattogram route by about 80 kilometres and reduce journey time by about one hour and 20 minutes if implemented.
He said no new leases would be issued on railway land and that existing leases would be reviewed, with cancellations considered where there are no legal obstacles.
The minister said officials were examining delays to improve punctuality and make fuller use of existing rail capacity.
He said the condition of replacement planting is being reviewed after an estimated 240,000 trees were cut during construction of the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar rail line, with social forestry proposed to address any shortfall.
Rashid said allegations of irregularities or corruption involving railway officials would be investigated and acted on if substantiated.