Tree cutting begins on Tk 1,183-crore Chattogram road project, Matarbari travel to shorten by about an hour

The government has taken up a Tk 1,183 crore road development project to expand industrialisation and economic activity in south Chattogram around the country's first tunnel, built under the Karnaphuli river. As preparation for the project, tree cutting has begun at the Kalabibir Dighi Mor area of Anwara.

Under the project, the 58.20-kilometre regional highway from Anwara through Banshkhali, Toitong, Pekua and Badarkhali to Chakaria in Cox's Bazar will be widened.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the Anwara-Banshkhali-Toitong-Pekua-Badarkhali-Chakaria (Eidmani) regional highway development project at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on June 9.

According to sources at the Roads and Highways Department, the road from Kalabibir Dighi in Anwara to Eidmani in Chakaria, Cox's Bazar, will be developed and widened. Sections of the road that are currently about 18 feet wide are planned to be raised to 34 feet.

The project's implementation period has been set from July 2026 to June 2030. Of the total cost, Tk 341 crore has been allocated for land acquisition. The rest will be spent on road widening, construction and ancillary infrastructure development.

Relevant sources say that after the Karnaphuli tunnel opened, communication between south Chattogram and Chattogram city became easier. But because of the limitations of the road system towards Cox's Bazar and Matarbari, the tunnel's economic potential cannot be fully used. Narrow roads, congestion and long detours are increasing the time and cost of goods transport.

According to the officials concerned, once the new highway opens, direct travel will be possible from the Karnaphuli tunnel via Kalabibir Dighi, Banshkhali, Toitong, Pekua and the Matamuhuri to Badarkhali and the Matarbari deep sea port.

At present, Matarbari-bound vehicles have to travel via the tunnel, Anwara, the Shikalbaha Y-junction, the Patiya bypass, Gachbaria and Chakaria. Once the new route opens, the distance for Matarbari-bound travel could fall by an estimated 40 to 45 kilometres and the time by about an hour.

Using the alternative road, Cox's Bazar-bound vehicles could save about 30 kilometres of distance and 45 minutes of time.

RHD officials say that once the new communication system is built, use of the Karnaphuli tunnel will increase and pressure on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway will lessen. Goods transport between the Matarbari deep sea port, the Anwara industrial area and the various economic zones of south Chattogram will also become easier.

As preparation for the widening, tree cutting has begun on both sides of the road from the Kalabibir Dighi Mor area of Anwara. However, those concerned see land acquisition and the removal of existing infrastructure as important challenges in implementing the project. Extra land will be needed to widen bends at places including Banshkhali; if the land acquisition process is not completed quickly, there is a fear of delay in implementation.

Pintu Chakma, executive engineer of the Chattogram South Road Division, said: “After the tender process ended, tree cutting work has begun from the Kalabibir Dighi Mor area of Anwara through the Forest Department. Once this work ends, the next activities of road construction will be taken forward.” He could not, however, say how many trees will be cut for the project.

SM Moin Uddin Azad, a member of the Anwara Peshajibi Parishad and a banker, said: “After the construction of the Karnaphuli tunnel, the economic potential of south Chattogram has grown a lot. But because of the limitations of road communication towards Cox's Bazar, the expected benefits are still not being received.”

SM Moin Uddin Azad also said: “If the PAB-Toitong highway is implemented, a strong economic corridor will be built from Anwara to Cox's Bazar. This will increase the effectiveness of the tunnel, and businessmen and investors will get the opportunity to expand activities in this region comparatively easily.” He believes improved road communication is essential for the industrialisation and modernisation of south Chattogram. In his view, if modern communication is built by widening the narrow roads, the prospects for setting up new factories, expanding trade and creating employment will grow.

Those concerned hope that if the project is implemented within the scheduled time, economic activity in south Chattogram will gain pace. At the same time, the path will be cleared for an integrated communication system among the Karnaphuli tunnel, the Matarbari deep sea port and the industrial areas.