Patenga-Khejurtala beach to get a new look, with an international-standard tourism hub planned

The district administration has taken an initiative to give a new look to the nearly two-and-a-half kilometre stretch of beach from Patenga to Khejurtala. Under the plan, international-standard tourism infrastructure will be built at Patenga, while Khejurtala will be developed as a tourism centre keeping its natural beauty and green environment intact.

District Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia shared the plans at a cleanliness and beautification drive at Khejurtala beach on Sunday (8 November).

The chief guest at the programme was Md Aminul Islam, director general (secretary) of the National Institute of Local Government (NILG). The district commissioner presided over the event.

In his speech, Md Aminul Islam said Khejurtala beach is unique in its natural beauty, as both sunrise and sunset can be enjoyed from here. With planned development, it could become an attractive tourism centre.

Dr Shahadat Hossain, administrator of Chattogram City Corporation, said in his speech as special guest that alongside the readymade garment industry, agriculture and remittance income, tourism can also become an important sector of the national economy. For that, international-standard tourism centres need to be built.

He said that if Khejurtala can be developed as a world-class tourism centre, it will attract foreign tourists and create opportunities to earn foreign currency.

Divisional Commissioner of Chattogram Dr Md Ziauddin said regular cleanliness drives will help prevent dengue and also improve the environment of tourism centres. Everyone must work together to build Chattogram as an exemplary model of cleanliness.

District Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia said the district administration has been working since last July to make Chattogram clean, beautiful and tourism-friendly. The plan to give Patenga and Khejurtala beaches a new look is part of that effort.

He said they want to open up the entire beach from the West Point of Patenga to the far end of Khejurtala. The area will be beautified, but Khejurtala's natural green environment will be preserved as far as possible.

The district commissioner said that at a meeting held last Thursday night, a decision was taken to develop Patenga beach as an international-standard tourism centre, and work on the necessary infrastructure has begun.

He said modern tourism infrastructure will be built at Patenga, while at Khejurtala the emphasis will be on the green environment and natural beauty. Clean air, green nature and the beauty of sunrise and sunset will attract tourists.

Noting that building infrastructure alone is not enough to attract foreign tourists, the district commissioner said the safety of tourists, quality of service and necessary facilities must be ensured. He called on the administration, tourist police, media and everyone involved in tourism to work together.

The district commissioner added that not only Patenga and Khejurtala, but other promising tourism areas of Chattogram will also be promoted in phases. Media cooperation is needed to present the natural beauty of these areas at home and abroad.

On the cleanliness drive, he said that in line with the prime minister's directives on dengue prevention, a cleanliness campaign is being run in Chattogram every Saturday, though this time it was held on Sunday because of a state programme.

The district commissioner said they are not only doing cleaning work, but also beautifying Chattogram, so that children can grow up in a beautiful environment and have places of wholesome enjoyment.

He said a new journey has begun with the effort to give Khejurtala beach a new look. The beach will be made suitable for tourists while preserving its natural beauty, and steps will be taken to attract tourists from around the world to visit Chattogram.