Legal notice issued to stop JICA-funded Cox’s Bazar beach road project citing contempt of court
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COX’S BAZAR — A legal battle has erupted over the construction of a coastal protection road at the ecologically critical Sugandha beach in Cox’s Bazar, as activists and legal experts demand an immediate halt to the 635 million taka project.
Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) Chairman and Supreme Court lawyer Manzil Morshed has issued contempt of court notices to four officials, alleging that the project violates High Court directives prohibiting construction on protected beach dunes. The recipients include Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner MA Mannan, Cox’s Bazar Municipality Chief Executive Officer Md. Adnan Chowdhury, project director ASM Rashedur Rahman, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) representative Takahaski Janko.
The notice warns that if construction is not suspended within 24 hours, legal proceedings for contempt of court will be initiated. The project, funded by JICA, is being executed by the private firm National Development Engineers (NDE). It involves building a 1.2-kilometer, four-lane road, with plans for a subsequent 1.6-kilometer extension.
Proponents of the project maintain that the development is proceeding with the required environmental clearance. Romel Barua, an assistant engineer for the municipality, stated that the project received prior approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) following extensive surveys and research, asserting that environmental impact would be minimal.
Environmental groups, however, have expressed outrage, warning that the construction will destroy vital ecosystems, including red crab habitats and coastal vegetation. Critics argue that the road, much like the existing Marine Drive, is unlikely to withstand coastal erosion and tidal surges.
The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) has also issued legal notices to eight government officials, including two secretaries, demanding an explanation for the ongoing work in an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA). Separately, the Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister via the district administration, calling for an immediate cessation of the work.
Tensions escalated on Thursday as activists staged a protest and human chain in front of the Cox’s Bazar Municipality building. Under the banner of “Eco-Democratic Movement,” representatives from various climate and youth organizations called for a redesign of the project. Protesters argued that local authorities should focus on urgent municipal issues, such as chronic waterlogging, rather than infrastructure that compromises the integrity of the beach.
The Department of Environment has also issued a show-cause notice to the project director and municipal authorities, demanding clarification on the legality of constructing a road within an ECA. As of Thursday, the project remains a focal point of intense legal and public scrutiny.
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