CDA to build tourist zone at Karnaphuli bank

The Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) is going to set up a tourist zone in a 5km area of Karnaphuli riverbank in the Bakalia area of the port city, with an aim to develop Chattogram as a tourist city.

The work will be carried out under a project, titled "Construction of Road on the bank of River Karnaphuli from Kalurghat bridge to Chaktai Khal (canal)".

Kazi Hasan Bin Shams, chief engineer of the CDA, told The Daily Star that under the project, a walkway will be constructed over an area of 5km from Shah Amanat Bridge to Bolirhat. They will also construct a tourist-friendly restaurant with entertainment facilities for children.

Funds from this project will be spent on constructing tourist spots. The tourist spot will be open to all, he added.

If the tourist zone is constructed, the socio-economic conditions of the area will change," said Faruk Ahmed, a local.

Mentionable, Chattogram and its neighbouring upazilas have a variety of features that draw tourists, including a picturesque sea view, hills, a mangrove forest, waterfalls, and lakes. However, the government agencies' lack of interest left most tourist destinations' potential went unrealised.

Md Shahin Islam Khan, former chief town planner of CDA, said the authorities need to make sure that the river remains clean.

The port city will transform into a true tourist destination if eco-friendly tourism destinations are set up here, the city planner added.

Habibur Rahman, a tourism entrepreneur and president of the Chattogram Residential Hotel Owners Association, said if the government is unable to develop the tourist attractions, they should be given to private or joint venture projects for development.

According to data from CDA, the project was approved in the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council on April 25, 2017.

The construction works of the project was inaugurated in June 2019 with the construction of a sluice gate at the estuary of Chaktai canal.

Under the project, the CDA is constructing an 8.55-kilometre road and embankment and 12 regulators at the canal mouth along the Karnaphuli to save some areas from waterlogging and reduce traffic congestion in the city.

However, the scheduled time for the project's completion had been extended for one more year, from June 2023 to June 2024.