Cox's Bazar development projects facing obstruction, says Minister

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, Mir Shahe Alam, has alleged that an organization is unfairly using court orders to obstruct development projects in Cox's Bazar. Speaking after inspecting an integrated waste management center in the Ukhiya Rohingya camps, the Minister claimed that various conspiracies are being orchestrated to prevent the region from becoming an international-standard tourism hub.

Specifically, the Minister cited a 128 crore BDT road construction project planned from Laboni Point to Kalatali beach. The project, which had completed its tender process, was halted after the environmental organization ‘Bela’ sought a High Court injunction, citing concerns over the protection of the beach environment and sand dunes in an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA).

In addition to the road project, the Minister noted that existing regulations from the Cox's Bazar Development Authority (CBDA) regarding construction distances from the shoreline are also impacting the ability to develop the area for the tourism season.