DHAKA : Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has asked all concerned to construct the 4-lane Cox’s Bazar marine driveway without cutting trees to protect nature and environment.
Under his directives, the four-lane road is being constructed without cutting 3,000 trees.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges has undertaken the project in 2024-25 fiscal year to upgrade about 80-kilometer road from Kalatoli to Sabrang Zero Point in Teknaf to four lanes.
Under this project, about 32 kilometers of marine drive from Kalatoli to Patuartek is being upgraded to four lanes. Soon after the work started, news was published in various media outlets that 3,000 trees would be cut down to implement this project.
As the news came to the attention of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, he immediately ordered Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam to look into the matter and widen the road without felling a single tree.
Upon receiving such instructions from the Prime Minister, the road transport minister instructed the concerned not to cut trees.
On April 21, Shaikh Rabiul Alam and State Minister Habibur Rashid Habib visited the area and asked the project officials to widen the marine driveway without cutting trees.
At that time, Prime Minister’s Defense Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam and the project implementing officials were present.
In this regard, Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam told BSS that after his visit to the site and discussion with the engineers, the alignment of the road has been changed slightly to protect the trees.
In addition initiatives has been taken for new plantation on both sides of the road to make the entire marine drive more aesthetically beautiful, environment and tourist friendly, he said.
The minister said this is not just a matter of saving trees; we want to further enhance the beauty of Cox;’s Bazar marine Drive and protect the environment.
“As a result, new examples will be set for implementation of environment-friendly projects not only in Cox’s Bazar but also in other parts of the country,” the minister said.
Sources at the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges said the project includes road widening, bridge construction, RCC retaining walls, installation of CC blocks and utility relocation in addition to constructing a 305-meter-long two-lane bridge over the Reju Canal.
The project is planned to be completed by this year. The construction work of this project is being carried out mainly under the supervision of the 16th and 17th Engineering Construction Battalions of Bangladesh Army.
The Prime Minister’s decision on the Cox’s Bazar Marine Driveway project will be a shining example of maintaining a balance between development and environment.
Such an approach to protect nature in the country’s infrastructure development is also giving a new message for the future, the minister said.
