The Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) has expressed deep concern and strong opposition to a Japan International Cooperation Agency-funded coastal road planned from Sugandha Point to Hotel Saymon in Cox’s Bazar. In a Sunday press release sent by its General Secretary Professor Md. Mosleh Uddin Hasan, the organisation urged authorities not to build the road in a way that damages beach dunes and the coastal environment. It called for planned, environmentally sound and climate-resilient development that protects the coast’s natural defences.

BIP said it was necessary to clarify whether constructing infrastructure in the sensitive dune area was justified when alternative locations may be available. The group also questioned whether alternative sites and designs had been adequately assessed. It raised serious questions over whether the Department of Environment had issued environmental clearance for the road, stressing that development in environmentally critical areas must follow applicable laws, regulations and approval procedures.

The organisation called for the ongoing construction work to be suspended immediately and for an independent, integrated reassessment of environmental, climate, disaster-risk and planning impacts. It also urged verification of required approvals, consideration of alternative locations and designs that preserve dunes and coastal ecosystems, and discussions with BIP and all relevant stakeholders.