Forest objection stalls Khutakhali-Eidgarh road project in Cox's Bazar

COX'S BAZAR, July 8: A key road project linking remote parts of Cox's Bazar and Bandarban has stalled after the Forest Department (FD) objected to construction through a section of reserved forest, raising fears that transport woes for nearly 200,000 people across five upazilas will continue despite significant progress on the project.

More than Tk 19 crore has already been spent under two construction packages, but uncertainty now surrounds the remaining work because of a dispute between the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and the FD.

According to LGED officials in Cox's Bazar, construction of the 11-kilometre road from Khutakhali in Chakaria to Eidgarh in Ramu began on February 26, 2025, under the South Chattogram Regional Development project financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project is scheduled for completion by February 26 next year.

About six kilometres of the road have already been completed, including the stretches from Khutakhali Bazar to Madhushia and from Eidgarh westward to Kalapara. The remaining five-kilometre section passes through the Madhushia forest.

LGED sought a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the FD before beginning work on the remaining stretch. However, the Cox's Bazar North Forest Division objected, saying the road would pass through a reserved forest, effectively halting construction.

The disagreement has sparked frustration among local residents, who say the road is essential for improving connectivity in the region.

A visit to the area found that the road is intended to connect Eidgarh in Ramu, Fasiakhali in Lama, Baishari in Naikhongchhari and Khutakhali in Chakaria. Because the central section remains unfinished, commuters must travel nearly 20 kilometres to cover what would otherwise be a five-kilometre journey.

The disputed section also presents a contrasting picture. While the FD has raised concerns over construction inside reserved forest, unrestricted sand extraction was found at several locations within the same area. Although red warning flags had been erected by the department, sand-laden dump trucks were seen using alternative routes, and in some places roads appeared to have been opened through forest land.

Several local residents alleged that only about 500 to 700 metres of the disputed five-kilometre stretch actually contains dense garjan forest. The rest, they said, consists of an old roadway, open land and agricultural fields.

They also claimed the route is not a new road but a historic communication corridor dating back to the British colonial period. According to them, the existing road corridor is between 30 and 40 metres wide.

The route already contains one bridge and three culverts, though they have fallen into disrepair after years without maintenance. Project officials said plans are also in place to build a new 180-metre bridge in the Horoikhola area of Khutakhali.

Mohammad Ali Liton, a businessman from Khutakhali, said local people had voluntarily donated land for the project because of its importance.
Former Union Parishad member Mohammad Abul Hossain of Fasiakhali said around 17,000 people live in the area and recalled that jeeps once used the route.

"Reconstructing this road would transform the lives of local people," he said.

Locals have formed a human chain to protest the local FD’s objection to the construction of the Khutakhali-Kalapara-Eidgarh GC road in Chakaria Upazila. 

The FD, however, maintains that its concerns are based on environmental protection rather than opposition to development.
Officials said nearly half of the project had already been completed before LGED sought the required ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC).

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Maruf Hossain of the Cox's Bazar North Forest Division said the Madhushia garjan forest is not only an important forest ecosystem but also a key movement corridor for the critically endangered Asian elephant.

"If a road is constructed through the reserved forest, elephant movement could be disrupted and the risk of human-elephant conflict may increase," he said, adding that the ancient garjan forest would also face additional pressure.

LGED officials insist the project poses little environmental risk.

Assistant Engineer Faridul Alam of Chakaria LGED said construction under the two packages is between 50 and 70 per cent complete, with work continuing at both ends of the road.

"The disputed section has not yet been touched," he said.

He added that the completed sections pass through markets, settlements and agricultural land rather than forest land, which is why no NOC had been required for those portions.

Faridul also argued that the existing road corridor is 30 to 40 metres wide, although only about 20 metres are needed for the project.
"As a result, no trees will have to be felled, and wildlife movement will not be adversely affected," he said.