Chittagong is one of the major cities in the country and has been expanding rapidly in terms of industrial and other commercial activities. It also has significant tourism based activities and attracts domestic and international businesses as well as visitors. However, despite being the second largest city of Bangladesh, Chittagong has less than 10 standard hotels and less than 6 standard shopping complexes. Apart from the need for standard accommodation facilities for outside people coming for business and tourism purpose and given the increasing purchasing power of the people of the city, Chittagong also requires enhanced and modernized shopping facility. Within this demand and with the objective of realizing optimum commercial value from the unutilized land, Bangladesh Railway has proposed a shopping complex-cum-guest house on PPP basis on BR’s unused land near Chittagong station. The proposed site is adjacent to Chittagong Station Road in the East side of Pay & Cash Office. An area of 0.4432 acres of Bangladesh Railway's spare land has been earmarked by Bangladesh Railway for this project.

Moreover, development of commercial shopping complex-cum-guest house facilities within the station area will enhance the user experience of rail passengers by providing an integrated and enhanced range of railway station facilities and services. Integration of standard shopping and accommodation facilities as part of overall station complex will also ensure existing station assets (i.e car parking, common spaces, restrooms etc.) are utilized more efficiently.

The objectives of this project are:

•  To render standard accommodation and shopping facilities to the general people of Chittagong as well as BR’s employees.

•  To increase revenue earning potential of Bangladesh Railway.

•  To ensure more efficient utilization of Bangladesh Railway assets.