Ending years of public demand and long-standing expectations, Matamuhuri has finally received government recognition as an upazila, triggering celebrations across the southern coastal belt of Chakaria in Cox’s Bazar district.
The newly declared administrative unit, now the district’s tenth upazila, has been welcomed with optimism by local residents, who believe the move will ease administrative hardships for marginalised coastal communities, improve access to public services and accelerate overall socio-economic development.
The formation of the new Matamuhuri Upazila includes seven unions: Saharbil, Bheola Manikchar, East Bara Bheola, West Bara Bheola, Konakhali, Dhemushia, and Badarkhali. Nearly 300,000 people live in the coastal region.
The upazila has been named after the 287-kilometer-long Matamuhuri River, which has historically remained deeply connected with the livelihoods and identities of the local population.
Residents said that for years people had to travel to the distant Chakaria upazila headquarters for land-related services, birth registration, certificates and healthcare facilities, causing significant suffering, time loss, and financial expenses.
They hope the new administrative status will make these services more accessible at the local level.
Initial steps have already been taken to launch administrative activities in the newly formed upazila.
Chakaria Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shahin Delwar has been given additional responsibility as the first UNO and assistant commissioner (land) of Matamuhuri Upazila, according to an office order issued on Friday by Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr Mohammad Ziauddin following directives from the Ministry of Public Administration.
Speaking to Cox’s Bazar Life, Shahin Delwar said administrative decentralisation would make life easier for local people.
“Services that previously required people to travel to Chakaria will now gradually become available locally, saving them time, money, and labour,” he said.
He added that institutions including a police station, fire service station, sub-registrar office and upazila health complex would be established in phases. A proposal has already been submitted for setting up a fire service station, while other government offices will be introduced gradually.
According to local residents, the recognition will simplify access to public services and transform the overall development structure of the region.
The new upazila is expected to receive separate development allocations, improved road connectivity and greater investment in healthcare, education, and infrastructure development.
Locals believe the establishment of a modern upazila complex, government offices, health facilities and road infrastructure could significantly change the socio-economic landscape of the coastal area.
The initiative was strongly backed by Home Adviser and Cox’s Bazar-1 constituency representative Salahuddin Ahmed, who had pledged during the national election campaign to establish Matamuhuri as an upazila.
Residents view the quick implementation of the promise positively.
Yusuf Badari, office secretary of the Cox’s Bazar district BNP and a resident of Badarkhali union, said, “Matamuhuri is now the country’s 496th upazila and the tenth upazila of Cox’s Bazar. As a resident of this area, I feel proud. After years of deprivation, people will now have access to government services closer to their homes.
He said people had long suffered when accessing healthcare, education, land services, and administrative facilities, but the new status would increase development allocations, create employment opportunities, and improve living standards.
The locals also described Matamuhuri as an economically promising region due to its vast salt fields, fish farms, agricultural land, and coastal economic activities that contribute significantly to the country’s food supply and economy.
Yasir Arafat Risat, a resident of East Bara Bheola union, believes the new upazila could also open fresh opportunities for tourism development.
He said expansion of the coastal road and a possible extension of the marine drive could eventually turn the area into an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists.
According to him, the coastal landscape, salt cultivation, fisheries-based livelihoods and rural environment could add a new dimension to tourism in the region.
Residents said the implementation of the new upazila marks the beginning of a new chapter of development for the once-neglected coastal communities.
“People will no longer need to travel long distances for civic services; rather, the administration itself will come closer to them,” many locals remarked.
Pekua Upazila, established in 2001, was carved out of greater Chakaria. Nearly 25 years later, another new upazila has now been added to the administrative map of Chakaria through the establishment of Matamuhuri.
For many residents, Matamuhuri now stands not only as a new administrative unit but also as a symbol of decades of struggle, aspiration and the dream of development for the coastal people.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Collected
