CDA to develop tourist zone on Ctg's Karnaphuli River Bank

The Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) has initiated to develop a new tourist zone stretching five kilometers along the west bank of the Karnaphuli River.

The proposed tourist zone titled "Karnaphuli Riverview Park" is attached to the port city's  Bakalia area, and the core goal of the project is to turn the picturesque riverside, newly constructed road area into an attractive tourist destination.

This tourist spot will be developed as part of the ongoing project titled "Construction of 8.5-km Road on the bank of the river Karnaphuli from Kalurghat Bridge to Chaktai Khal," according to CDA officials.

The officials said the new tourist site will be developed as similar to the attractive Patenga Sea Beach Zone, which is also located on the banks of both the Bay of Bengal and the port estuary of the Karnaphuli River. 

Bakalia, one of the oldest and single largest heavily populated areas of the Chattogram metropolitan city, is currently one of the less developed area for a long time. Keeping in mind the fact, urban planners believe implementing such a project could largely improve the living standards of its inhabitants apart from the possibility of turning the place into the biggest residential zone of the city. 

The road and embankment project evolving Tk3,324.15 crore aims to protect the city from tidal surges and improve communication infrastructure. 

Of the total project cost, around Tk22 crore has been allocated for the development of the tourist facility. 

Rajib Das, project director of the 8.5-kilomtre road scheme being constructed on the Karnaphuli river bank from Shah Amanat bridge point to Kalurghat, told BSS that they received approval for developing a tourist spot approximately five months back.

He explained that a five-kilometer walkway will be built from Shah Amanat Bridge to Bolirhat, along with setting up a modern restaurant enriched with entertainment facilities for children.

"If the proposed tourist zone, along with road infrastructure, is developed, overall socio-economic conditions of people of the area will significantly change," said Abdul Barik, a local resident in the Hamid Char area.

Chattogram and its surrounding upazilas offer a range of attractions for tourists, such as stunning sea views, hills, mangrove forests, waterfalls, and lakes. 

Unfortunately, due to the lack of attention from government agencies, many potential tourist spots remain undeveloped.

According to sources in the CDA town planner office, the authority is also giving priority to protect the important river from pollution and encroachment.

Keeping in mind the issue, CDA is considering developing eco-friendly tourist sites in the potential places to expand the number of tourist destinations in and outside the city.

Saidur Rahman, a tour operator in the Chakbazar area, suggested that if the government is unable to develop potential tourist sites, it could consider the involvement of private entrepreneurs for expansion of tourism industry in the country either on long-term leasing arrangement or joint venture basis.

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

Construction work on the project began in June 2019 with the construction of a sluice gate at the estuary of the Chaktai Canal.

The CDA is currently working on constructing an 8.55-kilometre road and embankment, as well as 12 regulators at the Chaktai Canal mouth that meet to Karnaphuli River to prevent waterlogging and reduce traffic congestion in the city.