Bikes ride on beach sands after parking fee payment

Hundreds of motorcycles are being ridden recklessly on the sands of Parki Sea Beach in Anwara, raising safety concerns among tourists and exposing a lack of proper management and oversight.

Thousands of visitors gather at the beach on holidays to enjoy its greenery, vast sandy shore and natural beauty. But tourists now face growing inconvenience due to motorcycle riding, inadequate facilities and security concerns.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found two to three young men collecting fees from vehicles at the main entrance and issuing receipts. However, there was no proper parking arrangement or safe environment for vehicles.

Further inside, hundreds of motorcycles were seen entering the beach through a damaged section of the embankment and protective barrier, which was breached by recent heavy rain and high tides.

An investigation found that a commercial motorcycle-riding operation is active across the beach, with bikes being rented by the hour or for rides. Young riders were seen speeding across the sands, particularly during low tide, often passing close to pedestrians and children.

Tourist Absar Mostafa, who came from the Kazi Deuri area of Chattogram with his family, said the beach should be a place where people can walk peacefully.

“But here it feels like a motorcycle show. There is hardly any opportunity to walk on the sand with children, as a bike could hit someone at any moment,” he said.

He also alleged that visitors are being asked to pay money at the entrance without being provided with a designated parking facility.

Other tourists also complained of similar harassment.

Drivers of public and private vehicles have also alleged irregularities. They said people are sometimes charged even when they do not park at the beach and instead visit private resorts in the surrounding area.

Mozammel, a private car driver, said he was stopped while dropping off guests at a resort near the beach.

“I was not going to the beach parking area. But someone stopped my car, handed me a token and demanded Tk75. They said they would not let me leave without the token,” he said.

There has also been longstanding confusion over toll collection, leasing and parking fees at Parki Beach.

According to district administration sources, a tender was invited to lease the parking facility. However, no response was received, prompting the authorities to continue with direct collection through the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and land office, as was done last year.

At present, Tk150 is reportedly being collected from each passenger bus, Tk75 from private cars, Tk20 from CNG-run auto-rickshaws and Tk25 from motorcycles.

Parki Beach Business Welfare Association President Md Abul Kashem said the fees were being collected through the UNO office and land office.

Liaquat, who is responsible for collecting the parking fees, said they had been authorised by the administration to collect the money and were following the prescribed rates.

He also denied responsibility for motorcycles entering the beach, saying they repeatedly discourage riders from doing so, but some visitors enter through the damaged section of the embankment.

District administration Assistant Commissioner (RM Branch and Tourism Cell) Subrata Halder said no lease had been granted for vehicle parking at the beach.

“The local administration and land office are collecting the fees as khas collection. However, I do not know in whose name the tokens are being issued. I will discuss the matter with the UNO,” he said.

Police said they were taking measures to ensure tourists' safety, particularly on Fridays, Saturdays and other holidays when visitor numbers increase.

Nurul Alam, in-charge of Bandar Police Outpost, said bikers and suspected snatchers often leave the area as soon as they notice police presence or an operation.

“We have learned that these motorcycles are entering the beach illegally. Some local people are involved. We are taking the matter seriously and will identify those involved and bring them under the law soon,” he said.

Repeated calls and text messages to Anwara UNO Md Mohin Uddin seeking his comment went unanswered.

Tourists and locals have called for immediate measures to ensure visitor safety and protect the beach's environment.

SKS