A 230-kilometer marine drive, to be constructed from Mirsarai in Chattogram to Teknaf in Cox's Bazar as a priority project of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, will connect to the existing 80-kilometer Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive to form the longest marine drive in the world.
Survey has started for the construction of the marine drive from Mirsarai to Teknaf, the south-eastern tip of mainland of the country and the seashore of Bay of Bengal.
A brainchild of the prime minister, the marine drive will connect at least 10 special economic zones in Chattogram region, a deep seaport and a coal-fired power plant in Moheshkhali island.
After completion of the project, which will be implemented at an estimated cost of Tk 25,000 crore, the country will get a new economic belt in which the tourism industry and protection of the coastal areas will enter a new epoch.
Economists say that as the government is giving greater attention to blue economy, the marine drive will make huge contribution to exploiting marine resources.
It will also help implement the Delta Plan, which is a combination of long-term strategies and interventions to ensure long-term water and food security, economic growth and environmental sustainability.
According to sources, the marine drive project was undertaken at the initiative of the prime minister.
They said she discussed the project with officials concerned on several occasions and instructed them to construct the road in a way so that it becomes the best marine drive in the world.
According to the project plan, the seaside expressway will connect Chattogram's industrial hub, Sitakunda, with the sea beach in Cox's Bazar. It will join the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor and the Asian Highway.
The marine drive will also connect to the Chattogram Port, Matarbari deep seaport, Bay Terminal under construction in Patenga of Chattogram and a proposed mini port on Sitakunda coast.
Planning Minister MA Mannan said that with the aim of bringing revolutionary change in various fields including industrialisation, tourism and housing, the marine drive will create a new hope for the nation, as the long seashore from Mirsharai to Teknaf will turn into a hub of industries and tourism.
“Although Bangladesh has a long coastline, it is divided into different parts. But from Mirsarai to Teknaf it is fairly intact. Its potential will be used to take the country towards the goal of development,” he added.
A number of economic zones -- two at Anowara and Mirsarai, the biggest in the country -- and a number of major projects, including a deep seaport, a power hub in Moheshkhali, are under construction along the coast, said MA Mannan.
“All will come in a communication network through proposed Marine Drive Expressway.”
Starting from Jorarganj of Mirsarai, the road will run along the coastal embankment of Mirsarai-Sitakunda using Bangabandhu Tunnel to the other side of the Karnaphuli river and from there to Cox's Bazar via Banshkhali and ChakariaUpazila.
Tunnel beneath the Karnaphuli river will be used for the marine drive, but at least 80 bridges will be built over other rivers and canals including Matamuhuri and Shankho.
The survey of the project began in the last week of September after various formalities.
The Road and Highway Department of the Roads and Bridge Ministry are conducting the survey with the technical support of an Australian company.
Roads and Highways Department (RHD) Additional Chief Engineer Mohammad Wahid said, “The survey will be completed within a year. Then the design of the Marine Drive will be finalised.”
It will cost at least Tk 9 crore to complete the survey, he said.
RHD officials said out of 230 kilometres of the road, the length in Chattogram district area will be 80 kilometres and in Cox's Bazar it will be 150 kilometres. Combined with the existing 80-kilometre marine drive from Cox's Bazar to Teknaf, its total length will be 310 kilometres, the longest in the world.
Considering the Mirsarai-Teknaf-Marine Drive project in future plans, a tunnel under the Karnaphuli river, and Faujdar Hat-Patenga Outer Ring Road in Chattogram are being implemented parallelly.
Source said, a significant part of the Marine Drive expressway will be connected with the Asian Highway-41 and the Bangladesh–China–India–Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor.
Although there are lots of potentials, this coastal area of the Bay of Bengal is also prone to disasters. Every year several storms and tidal surges hit this coast.
M AMannan said, steps are being taken at the same time to keep the entire area free from risk of disaster, for which multiple studies are also underway.
Describing his experience during inspecting the project areas recently, the Minister said that “it is a very promising and extraordinary project at the same time. It is already being implemented through various projects. At the end of the survey, all the projects will be coordinated and the final design will be done together.”
Regarding connectivity between the Asian Highway and the BCIM economic corridor, M AMannan said, historically, this route has been a busy trade route for Bangladesh. Most of our potential is south-eastward. We are paying more attention to this now.