<i>Cox's Bazar to be made a world class tourist spot</i>

29 June 2009, 17:00 PM

A Correspondent, Cox's Bazar

St Martin's coral island near Cox's Bazar bears bright prospect as a good earning source for the government if tourists from home and abroad get adequate facilities there. PHOTO: BANGLAR CHOKH

The government has decided to develop Cox's Bazar and turn it into a planned tourist city. This was revealed by the parliamentary standing committee on civil aviation and tourism that recently visited the place having world's one of the longest natural sea beaches. Sources said, a meeting at the land ministry on Sunday also decided to submit a proposal to form Cox's Bazar Development Authority to modernise the area and boost tourism. Convenor of the sub-committee on development of Cox's Bazar Mainuddin Khan Badal MP said, Cox's Bazar airport would be elevated to international standard and its runway would be expanded from existing 6,775 feet to 9,000 feet. He said setting up of a deep-sea port at Sonadia in Moheshkhali would be helpful for tourism. Besides, there is a plan for an international standard stadium, golf course and expansion of Dohazari rail station upto Ghumdhum. Chairman of the parliamentary standing committee Engineer Mosharraf Hossain said, security would be ensured at the beach, erosion checked, parks constructed and motels brought under the project plan. Dulahazara Safari Park would be turned into a complete park and erosion-prone Cox's Bazar-Teknaf marine drive road would go upto Shah Parir Dwip, he said. Mosharraf Hossain told local elite that the committee is also investigating alleged unfair distribution of 78 plots on 100 acres of the sea beach. The local administration has been directed to ensure that rest of the plots are not grabbed.