A four-story resort built at a cost of around Tk6 crore was demolished in a joint eviction drive at Inani beach in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Monday, as authorities began a crackdown on unauthorized hotels and resorts along Marine Drive.
The resort owner claimed he had obtained permission from the union parishad to construct the building and had replied to four notices issued before the eviction.
However, officials from the Cox’s Bazar Development Authority (CoxDA) stated that they demolished the structure after the owner repeatedly ignored their notices.
The operation began around noon at Inani, about 26km from Cox’s Bazar town. Officials from CoxDA, the district administration, police, the Special Response Battalion, the Fire Service, the Department of Environment, and Ansar took part.
The building stood between the Royal Tulip Sea Pearl and Bay Watch hotels, near the Navy jetty at Inani. Excavators arrived at the site around 11:00am, drawing crowds of residents.
Before workers began breaking the building’s glass panels and removing the main pillars, they demolished around 10 to 12 shops beneath and beside it.
CoxDA Deputy Director (Administration) Sanjida Begum stated that the owner received four notices to demolish the unauthorised building but failed to take any action.
Owner Shahidul Haque said construction began in 2014 with union parishad permission.
The ground floor housed shops, the second floor was intended for a restaurant, and the third and fourth floors had rooms for tourists.
He said the building was due to open soon and that he had responded to all four notices with supporting documents, which he claimed were ignored.
The crackdown follows a fire at the three-story TupTup Resort in Patuartek on October 17 that killed 10 tourists, renewing scrutiny of structures built without CoxDA approval along Marine Drive.
CoxDA Chairman Engineer Muhammad Jasim Uddin said around 200 resorts, cottages and restaurants stood along the 80km road, most allegedly built without approval.
He said roughly 2,500 structures had been built despite restrictions on construction along Marine Drive, including more than 200 hotels, resorts and cottages.
Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Abul Mannan said the construction of resorts and other structures was prohibited within 500 yards of the beach in ecologically critical areas and within 300 yards in the municipal area.
He said joint inspections were underway to verify permits and ensure tourist safety, while a proposed one-stop service could help businesses complete legitimate approval procedures.
Department of Environment Deputy Director Khandaker Mahmud Pasha said 26 resorts and 10 restaurants had recently received notices for operating without environmental clearance.
Fourteen resorts were fined for failing to respond, while cases were filed against two.
Abul Kashem Sikder, president of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel and Guesthouse Owners Association, said nearly all hotels and guesthouses listed with the association’s 187 members had approvals. Still, he could not confirm the status of businesses outside the organisation.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Collected
