The ambitious plan to upgrade the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar highway into a four-lane economic lifeline, cutting through critical wildlife corridors, has hit a major roadblock.
Soaring costs, complex land acquisition issues, and mounting environmental concerns have stalled one of Bangladesh’s most strategically important infrastructure projects, placing it at a high-stakes crossroads between economic growth and ecological conservation.
Sources from the Roads and Highways Department, the Forest Department, and JICA said that the ongoing process of reviewing the report which has submitted Oct 2025 will take several more months to be finalised. This means that the implementation of the project is gradually being delayed.
The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) is now reassessing the feasibility study prepared by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), amid fears that the project’s staggering price tag may be beyond the government’s financial capacity.
At the same time, environmental authorities are drawing a hard line, warning against any dilution of conservation safeguards embedded in the plan.
Zahid Hossain, superintending engineer of RHD in Chattogram, confirmed that the detailed proposals in JICA’s report are currently under review by a special committee. He said, “The report serves as a baseline. We are examining all aspects, including cost, connectivity and environmental impact. After evaluation, we will proceed towards an agreement with JICA.”
JICA has proposed a Tk47,000 crore development package for a 65-kilometre stretch from Shah Amanat Bridge to Fasiakhali, making it the most expensive road project in the country’s history. The high cost stems largely from its environmentally friendly design, which prioritises biodiversity conservation in ecologically sensitive zones.
The Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar highway is not only strategically important but also extremely busy, carrying far more traffic than it was designed for.
According to traffic and safety reports, 30,000–35,000 vehicles use the highway daily, even though its capacity is only about 12,000–15,000 vehicles per day, a burden more than twice its limit. This has turned several sections into accident prone zones, with frequent congestion, delays and safety risks for commuters, freight, tourists and local communities along the route.
Nearly 60 percent of the proposed highway would be elevated, allowing safe passage for wildlife—particularly endangered Asian elephants that migrate between the Chunati and Fasiakhali wildlife sanctuaries. A 10-kilometre section alone is estimated to cost Tk9,000 crore under this plan.
However, the financial burden has triggered serious concerns within the government. Officials note that the per-kilometre cost of the proposed highway—reaching up to Tk723 crore—far exceeds other major infrastructure projects in Bangladesh. By comparison, the Dhaka–Bhanga Expressway cost around Tk201 crore per kilometre.
RHD officials admit that the plan’s international standard and ecological sensitivity are commendable, but question whether such a high-cost model is sustainable.
“It is a world-class design, but extremely difficult for us to bear financially,” Zahid Hossain acknowledged, hinting at the possibility of revising the proposal to strike a better balance.
He said the primary focus of the review is to find ways to reduce costs, particularly by exploring options to minimise the elevated sections of the highway. Yet, for the Forest Department, there is little room for compromise.
“No alternative design will be acceptable in ecologically critical zones,” said Noor Jahan, wildlife and biodiversity conservation officer. “The elevated structure is essential to ensure uninterrupted movement of wildlife and to prevent habitat fragmentation. We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past,” he added.
She warned that unplanned road and rail projects have already severely disrupted elephant migration routes, leading to increased human-wildlife conflict and loss of life. “This 60 percent overpass structure is the minimum requirement,” she added.
The proposed route also passes through flood-prone forest areas and biodiversity-rich regions, where preserving natural water flow and ecological balance remains a major challenge. Experts believe elevated structures will help maintain this balance.
Meanwhile, the urgency of the project continues to grow. The existing 146-kilometre Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar highway remains a risky two-lane road, plagued by chronic congestion and frequent accidents. It is also considered one of the country’s deadliest highways.
With the under-construction Matarbari Deep Sea Port expected to significantly boost freight traffic, a modern four-lane highway is seen as essential to ensuring seamless connectivity between Chattogram, Dhaka and the country’s future commercial hub.
RHD sources say parts of the highway—around eight kilometres on both ends—have already been upgraded, while a separate project involving 23 kilometres of bypass roads and an overpass at Keranihat is set to begin soon.
Notably, a 50-kilometre stretch from Fasiakhali to Cox’s Bazar has been excluded from JICA’s current proposal.
