Cox's Bazar is a city of residential buildings and unplanned tourist destinations, and without priority to tourism, various unplanned buildings were constructed without heeding rules and regulations.
Thousands of tourists from home and abroad have a special attraction for Cox’s Bazar, the tourist city of Bangladesh and the world’s longest unbroken sandy sea beach gently sloping into the blue water of the Bay of Bengal.
The tourists are also fascinated to sightsee natural spots for good food, communications, accommodations (hotels, motels and guest houses), bathing, swimming, jogging and sun-bathing.
Tourists also opt for Cox’s Bazar as they move to dozens of spots, including St. Martin’s, Himchhari, Inani Beach, Laboni Beach, Buddhist temples at Ramu and Sonadia islands in a short time due to easy, cheap and comfortable transportation.
It is learned that the Cox's Bazar Development Authority Act was approved in 2016 to ensure planned development in Cox's Bazar. Then in August of the same year, the government also appointed Lt. Col. (Retd.) Forkan Ahmed as the CDA Chairman for the thriving of development and aesthetic activities.
According to ministry officials, climate change is being considered mainly for the development of other areas, including St. Martin's Island in Cox's Bazar. There has not been a specialized company for construction of buildings in Cox's Bazar area since long. As a result, a lot of unplanned installations have been built there.
However, after the formation of the Cox's Bazar Development Authority, a building construction committee has been set up by the Ministry of Housing and Public Works. The committee is also working on building construction, land development, hill cutting, residential and commercial hotels by the beach, buildings or Bangladesh Tourism Reserved Area or Special Tourist Area as per the law of the Ministry of Tourism.
Earlier, several agencies were responsible for the approval and development of the installation. As a result lack of coordination in development was visible. CDA has implemented several small projects to make Cox's Bazar a world-class tourist destination through planned development.
Besides, eviction notices have also been sent to 229 buildings. Apart from building-related issues, Cox's Bazar Development Authority has also started various projects to build a modern tourist city.
These plans have been undertaken keeping in view the planned construction, beautification, traffic congestion and environmental development in the city. Besides, the government has already issued a notification covering an area of 690 sq kms.
A project is also being taken up to implement the master plan on this huge area. The project titled 'Master Plan of Cox's Bazar District' is now awaiting final approval from the Ministry of Planning.
Moreover, CDA has undertaken massive security measures in the city, mainly on roads, spots and residences. In addition to widening the road, sidewalks, foot over bridges, drains, bridge-culverts and cycle ways will be constructed for tourists on both sides of the road. There will also be street lights and CCTV cameras, WiFi connection and greenery on both sides.
Apart from this, CDA has taken up different transportation projects through vessels, vehicles, trains and flights directly and indirectly. The marine drive road is ready for tourists and construction work of international airport and installing of modern rail trucks are going on.
Cox's Bazar Development Authority Chairman told Bangladesh Post, "We are working to redecorate the tourist city. We have undertaken various projects. Some of these projects are in progress, while others have been implemented. I want to change the image of this tourist city through a master plan.”
“I have the dream of remodeling, developing and beautifying Cox’s Bazar, which is a personal pledge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The implementation of the dream is only a matter of time,” he added.
