New marine drive to slash Ctg-Cox's Bazar travel time to two hours

The construction of the 172-kilometre marine-drive road, connecting Mirsarai in Chattogram to Cox's Bazar, will significantly shorten the distance between these two cities by 50 kilometres and reduce travel time by 1.5 hours.

By connecting the existing 80-kilometre Cox's Bazar-Teknaf marine drive patch, this ambitious project is set to create the world's longest and most stunning marine drive road stretching more than 250 kilometres.

Currently, travelling from Cox's Bazar to Chattogram by road takes around 3.30-4 hours. However, with the marine drive road in place, this travel time will be reduced to a mere 2 to 2.30 hours.

The current road distance from Cox's Bazar to Chattogram stands at 160 kilometres, with an additional 60 kilometres from Chattogram to Mirsarai. As a result, the overall distance from Chattogram to Cox's Bazar will be decreased by 50 kilometres.

Moreover, the implementation of this project will lead to the development of numerous resorts, hotels, motels, restaurants, economic zones, and exclusive tourist spots stretching from Mirsarai to Shahpari Island in Teknaf, according to stakeholders.

They said that this extensive development will generate a significant number of employment opportunities. People from all over the world, eager to explore new and captivating tourist destinations, will be drawn to experience the vast array of tourist spots and breathtaking natural beauty this region has to offer.

Mahbubul Alam, the president of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, "If the marine drive road is constructed from Mirsarai to Cox's Bazar, it will create many tourist spots in Chattogram's Mirsarai, Patenga, Anwara, Banshkhali, as well as in Cox's Bazar's Kutubdia, Pekua, Chakaria, and Maheshkhali. The marine drive will enhance the appeal to both domestic and foreign tourists, making it a significant driving force for the country's economy."

According to sources, the preliminary development project proposal (PDPP) for the construction of the 172-kilometre marine drive and expressway from Mirsarai (Jorarganj) to Cox's Bazar via Sitakunda and Moheshkhali has been finalised.

The feasibility study for this mega project, conducted by the Australian consultancy firm SMET International, has recently been completed.

Once the feasibility study report is received, the work to prepare the construction design for the road will commence. It is expected to take one year to obtain the final report and design.

As per the project factsheet, the main objectives of the road project are to establish a safe communication system, develop the tourism industry and improve the socio-economic conditions of the local people.

It is worth mentioning that a meeting of high-ranking officials involved in the road project took place on November 17 last year in Cox's Bazar.

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