Construction of the Khutakhali–Eidgarh road in Cox’s Bazar’s Chakaria upazila has been halted after the Forest Department objected to the project, citing that part of the route passes through a reserved forest. The 11‑kilometer road, funded by JICA under the South Chattogram Regional Development Project, began in February 2025 and was scheduled for completion by February 2027. About six kilometers have been completed, but work on a five‑kilometer stretch through Madhushia forest remains suspended, leaving around 200,000 residents of five nearby upazilas facing prolonged transport hardship.

The Forest Department claims the road cuts through the Madhushia garjan forest, an important corridor for endangered Asian elephants, and warns that construction could disrupt wildlife movement and increase human‑elephant conflict. LGED officials and local residents, however, argue that the disputed section includes old roads, open land, and farmland rather than dense forest. They insist the project will transform local connectivity, boost agricultural trade, and reduce security risks on alternative routes.

Locals have staged demonstrations demanding immediate resumption of construction and intervention from higher authorities, while the two government agencies remain at odds over environmental and development priorities.