Illegal structures on Cox’s Bazar dunes will be removed: Home Minister

The government has decided that no illegal structures will remain on the sand dunes of Cox’s Bazar sea beach, says Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed.

No structures built illegally will be allowed to remain on the sand dunes of Cox’s Bazar beach,” he said today (March 22) while visiting Sugandha Point in Cox’s Bazar.

He said eviction drives against floating shops and other illegal structures have already begun and will be expanded gradually across the entire coastline from Nazirartek to Teknaf.

At the same time, he added, genuine small traders will be rehabilitated to protect their livelihoods.

Earlier, at a law and order meeting on March 9 at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Cox’s Bazar, the minister instructed authorities to remove all floating illegal structures within one week.

Following the directive, the administration carried out eviction drives at Sugandha and Kolatoli points, removing more than 500 illegal structures.

The home minister visited the beach to inspect the cleared areas.

During the visit, lawmakers Lutfor Rahman Kajal and Shahjahan Chowdhury, Zila Parishad Administrator ATM Nurul Bashar Chowdhury, Deputy Commissioner Md Abul Mannan, Superintendent of Police ANM Sajedur Rahman, and local BNP leaders were present.

Officials said the initiative has already changed the appearance of many parts of the beach.

With the removal of floating shops, the sand dunes and blue sea waves are now visible from the road, offering a clearer and more scenic view for visitors.

Tourism stakeholders said tourists are enjoying a refreshed look of the beach during the Eid holidays.

Cox’s Bazar Press Club President Mahbubur Rahman said around 6 to 7 million tourists visit the area each year, and many had expressed dissatisfaction over makeshift shops on the dunes, which were also linked to various crimes.

He added that removing such structures would improve the environment and reduce pollution in the sea.

Deputy Commissioner Md Abul Mannan said structures at Sugandha Point have already been removed and similar drives will continue along the 120-kilometre coastline up to Teknaf.

Earlier in the day, the home minister attended an Eid reunion at the alumni association of Pekua Government Model GMC Institution.

Speaking there as the chief guest, he said the government aims to move the country forward economically through reforms focused on skills, training, and technology.

He said the current education system has created many unemployed graduates and that steps will be taken to restructure it to produce skilled and employable citizens.

He added that technical education will be made compulsory, and initiatives like the Family Card programme for women’s empowerment are already underway.

He also said a Farmer Card programme will be introduced soon and noted that the government has already waived Tk 10,000 agricultural loans with interest in its first cabinet meeting.