Govt plans to turn Teknaf's Sabrang Park into world-class tourism hub
Around 500 acres of the planned 1,000-acre park have been lost to the sea, while a jetty is expected to be completed in about two years.
The government plans to develop the remaining 500 acres of Teknaf's Sabrang Tourism Park into a world-class tourism hub after around half of the 1,000 acres originally planned for the project were lost to the sea, Prime Minister's Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar said today (25 September).
The initiative, taken under the prime minister's direction, will focus on expanding tourism facilities in the area, improving connectivity and attracting domestic and foreign tourists, he said.
Sattar made the remarks while speaking to reporters after visiting different areas of the park this afternoon and discussing ongoing development work, infrastructure and tourism facilities with officials.
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He said around 1,000 acres had originally been planned for the Sabrang Exclusive Tourism Park, but nearly 500 acres had been lost to the sea because necessary measures were not taken in time.
The government will now seek to develop tourism infrastructure on the remaining 500 acres, he added, adding that the government also plans to improve road connectivity between Teknaf and Cox's Bazar and reduce travel time on the waterway between Teknaf and Saint Martin's.
Jetty planned at Sabrang
During the inspection, officials discussed plans to construct a jetty at Sabrang Tourism Park.
Sattar said funds had already been allocated for the project and construction could take about two years to complete.
Once built, the jetty will be able to accommodate large launches and vessels, making waterway travel between Teknaf and Saint Martin's easier and supporting the expansion of the tourism sector, he said.
The government also plans to develop hotels, motels and other tourism facilities in the Sabrang area, he added.
Sattar said locals would be given employment opportunities according to their qualifications as tourism infrastructure develops.
"Instructions will be given to the relevant authorities to provide employment opportunities to locals according to their qualifications," he said.
The prime minister's principal secretary said the government would seek to transform Teknaf's tourism infrastructure over the next few years.
He hoped that if the plans are implemented, Sabrang would become one of the country's important tourism destinations.
Various senior officials from different government departments, including Special Assistant Bijon Kanti Sarker, were present during the inspection.
