Irregularities have been reported before and after the approval of sand extraction for the Matarbari Deep Sea Port connecting road project in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar. The contractor, Tokyo-MIL-JV, was permitted to extract sand under 13 conditions but allegedly ignored them, using a 12-inch suction dredger instead of the required 18-inch cutter dredger. The company also failed to obtain environmental clearance or conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Officials from Max International Limited, the local partner, denied all allegations, claiming compliance with government terms.
Documents show that the Cox’s Bazar district administration approved sand extraction without tender or environmental clearance, setting a rate of Tk 6.94 per cubic foot while the government would pay Tk 4.56 per cubic foot as dredging cost. This arrangement allegedly allows the contractor to profit while the government bears the expense. Competing firms offering higher royalties were reportedly ignored. The district administration, led by Deputy Commissioner Md. A. Mannan, justified the approval as being based on a land ministry directive.
The Department of Environment confirmed that no application for clearance was submitted and warned of legal action if extraction continues without approval. The administration has asked the Water Development Board to verify whether the contractor is violating conditions.
আনছার হোসেন, কক্সবাজার প্রকাশ : ০২ জুন ২০২৬, ১০: ৩১আপডেট : ০২ জুন ২০২৬, ১০: ৪০ কক্সবাজারের মহেশখালীর মাতারবাড়ি গভীর সমুদ্রবন্দরের সংযোগ সড়ক নির্মাণ প্রকল্পের বালু সরবরাহ অনুমোদনের আগেও অনিয়ম হয়েছে, পরেও হচ্ছে। ঠিকাদারি প্রতিষ্ঠানকে ১৩ শর্তে বালু তোলা
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