Chittagong, the second largest city of Bangladesh and a busy international seaport, is an ideal vacation spot. Its green hills and forests, its broad sandy beaches and its fine cool climate always attract the holiday-markers. Described by the Chinese traveler poet, Huen Tsang (7th century A.D) as "a sleeping beauty emerging from mists and water" and given the title of "Porto Grande" by the 16th century Portuguese seafarers. Chittagong combines remains true to both the descriptions even today. It combines the busy hum of an active seaport with the shooting quiet of a charming hill town.

The Shahi Jama-e-Masjid and Qadam Mubarak Mosque are two of the most impressive buildings in the city. It's also worth visiting the Ethnological Museum in the Modern City which has interesting displays on Bangladesh's tribal peoples. There are good views and cooling breezes from Fairy Hill in the British City in the north-western sector of the city.
Chittagong is the country's chief port and is the main site for the establishment of heavy, medium and light industries. Bangladesh's only steel mill and oil refinery are also located in Chittagong.

Chittagong like Dhaka is going through massive infastructure development. There are plenety of highrise buildings, shiny shopping malls, commercial plazas are being constructed. Work has started for a twin tower (20 storied) world trade centre. Once completed it would change the skyline of the city.

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Chittagong High Court

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Chittagong WASA building

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Chittagong Circuit House

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Agrabad Commercial Area - the downtown

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Premier University

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Laldighi Park

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Chittagong Stadium

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Chittagong International Airport

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Chittagong Shopping Complex - a popular mall in town

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Chittagong Gate - greets you as you drive to the city from the airport

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Patenga Sea Beach

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Foy's Lake

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Chittagong War Cemetary

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Nice collection...

Airport looks cool.

dude more city less flat ground!

Tmac....Chittagong is very green. I'm impressed. We need green cities like this in subcontinent.

few more Chittagong pics.

Chittagong Circuit House

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Chittagong Court House

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Chittagong City Hall

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Chittagong Airport Mosque

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Chandanpura Mosque

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Chittagong, Bangladesh's 2nd largest city is cool. That Chandanpura mosque & high court are awesome.

Concord Amusement World opens in FOY'S LAKE, Chittagong

Concord Amusement World was formally inaugurated in the port city yesterday. State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mir Md Nasiruddin inaugurated the park and valley in the Foy's Lake area as chief guest.

He said the project is an example of public and private collaboration in developing a tourist spot of international standard.

Nasiruddin said on completion of the whole project within the next two years, the Concord Amusement World would be one of the prime tourist destinations in South Asia.

Concord Entertainment Co Ltd completed the 1st phase of the project at a cost of Tk 102 crore. It included the amusement park and the paradise valley.

Implementation of over Tk 300 crore project began after its foundation stone was laid by the prime minister on April 19 this year.

Under the project, a five star hotel, motel, honeymoon cottage, club and installations will be set up in phases within 2006.

Concord Limited Chairman SM Kamal Uddin said 90 percent of the installation of all rides would be completed within the next two weeks. Concord group also developed the famous Bashundhara City and Fantasy Kingdom in Dhaka.

I will post some more pics once I am finished gathering them.

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few under construction projects in Chittagong.

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AKHTARUZZAMAN CENTRE: 18 storied shopping cum commercial Complex.

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Gasmin multistoried Shopping Complex and Hotel Park

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The projects look nice..Looking forward to the park pics..

this project is underway and the expected time for completion of construction of the WTC is two and a half year from the date of beginning of physical work.

Progress of the landmark project of the CCCI was made possible due to Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's special initiative to allot necessary lands for WTC at Agrabad commercial area which was owned by Public Works Department (PWD) and Bangladesh Railway (BR).

The government had allotted PWD owned 1.93 bighas of land in 1995 and BR owned 1.832 bighas of land in 2003 to CCCI free of cost.

The WTC in the port city will be comprised of two high rise towers - one 25 storied commercial tower and another 18 storied 5-star hotel. The commercial tower will have a convention centre, permanent show room for major export-import items, three tier basement car parking for 600 cars, food court, shopping mall and permanent exhibition area.

"The WTC tower would be a big push in turning the port city as country's commercial capital in line with the present government's plan to this effect" Amir Humayun Mahmud told BSS today.

He said both local and foreign trade and investment will be increased significantly as WTC will provide necessary support and service to the entrepreneurs and businessmen.

That's cool. TMAC, if you find any renderings please post them.

Yeah cool project, need some renders.

Construction of 'heritage park' begins in Chittagong next month

The planned 'heritage park' Mini Bangladesh, first of its kind in the country, is set to represent our heritage, the engineers who designed the project said.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is expected to inaugurate the construction work of the project next month.

The liberation war affairs ministry had decided to construct the park after the name of late President Ziaur Rahman. Later, it was renamed as "Shaheed Zia Memorial Complex and Mini Bangladesh."

Those who interested in enjoying the country's architectural beauty, ethnic traditions and archaeological inheritance will be able to materialise their dream very shortly having a glimpse of the 'heritage park', the officials claimed.

Historical Kalurghat Betar Kendra (Kalurghat Radio Station) from where independence was proclaimed in 1971 is now almost ready to encompass the park.

The ministry has chosen the site for developing the park at a cost of Tk55.95 crore to conserve the historical radio station as an evidence of War of Liberation for the future generation, he said. The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the project.

Concord Engineering and Construction Limited, a private construction firm, will implement the project under the supervision of Public Works Department in two years.

"The objective of the park is to show the entire Bangladesh at a glance," said site engineer Saidur Rahman. "Eventually it will become a live museum with the architectural and archaeological legacy of the country," he added.

Replica of major structures of the country, including Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (parliament building), National Memorial of Savar, Ahsan Manjil, Curzon Hall of Dhaka University, Paharpur Monastery, Karntajir Temple of Dinajpur, Lalbag Fort and Sona Masjid, will be installed at the park.

Under the project, Kalurghat Betar Kendra studio from where the proclamation of independence came and the technical equipment will be decorated and furnished.

Besides, model of three railway stations, Church of Saint Nicholas of Gazipur, Choto Kuthi and Bara Kuthi of Rajshahi along with houses containing socio-cultural rituals of 13 tribal communities will also be set up at the valley.

"A 'tower restaurant', an artificial hill, an artificial lake and a fountain will be built at the park," said Saidur Rahman.

"Different rides including bumper boat, paddle boat, family coaster, 12 horses carousel, Farris wheel, bumper car and kiddie swing will be installed", he said, adding that a tunnel under the artificial hill for train track will also be constructed.

Concord will hand over the park to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs after completion of the work, he said. Then the ministry will either lease it out to private sector or deal itself, sources said.

ASM Mahbubur Rahman, resident engineer of Kalurghat Betar Kendra, said that the Betar authorities have already completed all formalities including handing over of land.

"Some 13.6 acres of land out of 27 acres owned by Betar was handed over to the Ministry of Liberation War by the Ministry of Information to build the park", he added.

I love the greenery... but it seems Chittagong doesn't get much development compared to Dhakka... but that's probably due to Dhakka being much bigger then Chittagong.

3 CDA projects begin soon
BANGLADESH SANGBAD SANGSTHA, Chittagong

The Chittagong Development Authority is likely to begin the work of two residential projects and a commercial building in Chittagong soon, the sources in the authorities said.
The authorities have obtained the approval of the Ministry of Finance to begin the work of the three projects — Kalpalok (second phase) and Ananya residential areas, and a nine-storey commercial building.
The projects, involving Tk 350 crore, are designed to build improved and healthy residential areas with modern facilities.
The CDA chief engineer, Shah Mohammad Akter Uddin, said the projects would be implemented by 2008 on the funds of the authorities. ‘The residential projects will include school, collage, hospital, kitchen market, shopping mall and open and green space.’
Kalpalok will be developed on about 90 acres of land at Bakalia at a cost of about Tk 152 crore with 831 residential plots.
Ananya will be developed with 1,183 residential plots and some commercial space on 115 acres of land at a cost of about Tk 285 crore.
The commercial building will be built at Laldighi at a cost of Tk 9 crore, the sources said.
A board member, Ahmed Khalil Khan, said it has sent another proposal for a residential project, Nilima, for approval of the ministry concerned.
The residential project will be developed behind Foy’s Lake. The Ministry of Housing and Public Works has cleared this project.
The authorities have a plan to develop about 1,200 residential plots in the proposed residential project.
The project, which will have hospital, school and kitchen market, will retain about 20 acres of hill area as green belt and an artificial water body at the slope of the hills.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html#2

Chittagong is losing its beauty very fast.....it is almost sad....its becoming another dhaka...

true..I heard they are cutting trees and also levelling some of the hills for construction. Let's hope they can restrict the environmental damage and still make the city more modern.

Chittagong street scene....chaotic!

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A newly constructed mosque in the city..

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Foy's lake amusement park

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http://www.colorsofbangladesh.com/images/seagull_hotel.jpg

Enjoying an unrivalled location, overlooking the Bay of Bengal (only 25 yards from the Bay water) and sitting in the laps of hills, Seagull Hotel offers deluxe accommodation in 182 well appointed guest rooms and suites. The panoramic view of the Ocean, the majestic hills and the natural beauty of the tamarisk trees are all wonderfully complemented by luxury facilities and Bangladeshi hospitality.

Guests will appreciate a tempting choice of fine dining and entertainment with every opportunity for fun and entertainment in the cool luxurious Swimming pool, Health Club, Tennis Courts, Beauty Saloon, Billiard and Card Room (opening shortly).


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Views from the hotel balcony

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Hotel Beach

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Silvia Resort

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Motel Upal

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Simply Awesome!!!! TMAC thank you so much for getting the pics of hotel Seagull, I have been looking for the photos of that hotel for the last couple of years. You just made my day :)

Photos: Courtsey of www.webbangladesh.com

Chittagong Gate
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Airport Road
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Chittagong Airport
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British Council
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Khulshi
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Shopping Center
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Cox's Bazaar-in Chittagong Division

Miles of golden sands, towering cliffs, surfing waves, rare conch shells, colorful pagodas, Buddhist temples and tribes, delightful sea-food--this is Cox's Bazar, the tourist capital of Bangladesh. Having the world's longest (120 kilometers) beach sloping gently down to the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal, Cox's Bazar is one of the most attractive tourist spot in the country.

Located at a distance of 152 km south of Chittagong, the leading seaport of Bangladesh, Cox's Bazar is connected both by air and road from Dhaka and Chittagong.

Photos: Courtesy of Rafat Azad

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More pics from Cox's Bazar, longest unbroken sea beach in the world.

Photos: Courtsey of Faruque Abu Sayeed

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the Hotel Seagull in Cox's Bazar looks like a building in rio where i live in brazil.

I have been reading a lot about all the infrastructure development work going on in Chittagong city. But sadly, I haven't found many pics of the new modern building of this city. I would really appreciate if someone can post photos of the skyscrapers of Chittagong, something along the line of "Dhaka Skyscraper thread".

Thanks

few night views of Chittagong

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Safari Park: A safe haven for wildlife
Most interesting and recreational leisure spot for the visitors
Shahidul Islam

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/06/29/2005-06-29__ctg01.jpg

Dulahazra Safari Park is the most interesting and recreational leisure spot for the visitors. Once been, one would surely feel like visiting it again.
The park project was started in 1998-1999 at a cost of Tk 9.90 crore on a 300 hectares of land. Later, 600 more hectares of land were included in second phase, which was completed this year.

The park is now a beautiful sanctuary for wildlife in the country. With good road communications from Chittagong city and beach city Cox's Bazar, it is located at a serene place of Dulahazara at Chokoria Upazila.

Wide varieties of herbivorous and carnivorous animals like lion, tiger, deer, bear and elephant have now found their safe haven here over an area of 900 hectares of land in natural environment.


Separate spacious enclosures were set up for different animals. Sixty hectares of grazing field were allocated for tigers and lions. Besides, enclosures on 50 hectares of land for different types of deer (sambar, spotted, hog) and goyal, eight water reservoirs on 50 hectares for amphibians and guest birds, 20 hectares for bears, 100 hectares for elephant and 10 hectares for crocodiles were also established.

The park has large varieties of trees, shrubby plants, bamboo, climbers and a large orchid house. Colourful collection of orchids is put on show in the orchid house. The park has many observation towers to have a glance of the animals grazing in their enclosures. Riding on a protected minibus, visitors can take the opportunity to see live those ferocious animals. There is also a natural history museum few yards inside the main gate. The remains, specimen and stuffing of about 2000 animals and birds were kept in this museum.

Another attraction of the park is its 'Nature Interpretation Centre. The visitors can get the thrill of an artificial dense forest, once they enter it. At the entrance, there are few murals. Of them one is of a gigantic dinosaur, enough to remind one the 'extra terrestrial' (ET) world. The park has nice accommodation for visitors to stay at night.

More features: background
The evergreen forests of Cox's Bazar once enriched with lofty Dipterocarps, Boilum, Telsur, Civit, Chapalish, Champa and various climber and medicinal plants were endowed with enormous rare wildlife species like elephant, leopard, deer, bear, wild boar, monkeys, flying squirrel and various reptiles. The reptiles include python, fauna like Black Drongo, Hair Crested Drongo, Rufous Nickel Hornbil and White Breasted Kingfisher.

Ever increasing population pressure and poaching resulted in adverse impact on the bio-diversity including wildlife community. The Royal Bengal Tiger became extinct in the forests of Cox's Bazar in far sixties.


A team of Bangladesh Civil Service Forest Association called on the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for setting up of such a park on November 26 in 1996. She responded positively and ordered the concerned ministry and department to take necessary steps in this connection, sources said.


This safari park was built with a view to saving the wildlife from extinction and helping them in reproduction. It will contribute to research and education as well. In addition, it will also help expand eco-tourism as out-door recreational spots and contribute to protecting the environment through creation of employment opportunities.


Objectives
*To help breeding of major animals like tiger, cheetah, deer, elephant and Hog Deer by conserving them into the park;

*To conserve the extinct or near-extinct animals like ox, lion, bear, crocodiles, gharial, zebra, impala and spring duck;

*To create sanctuary for guest birds;

*To create natural food sources for herbivorous animals by creating grazing ground for them and

*To create scope for eco-tourism, education and research.


Lone hog deer
The Dulahazara Safari Park is now gifted with a rare animal -- country's only Hog Deer (known as Pera Hareen / scientific name Axis porcinus).

"It was collected from Khagrachhari in 2002 and probably it came from India," said Dr Tapan Kumar Dey, project director of the park.

Latest arrival
Twenty-nine freshwater crocodiles of an endangered species, out of 40 collected from Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT) in India on Friday last, were released on Saturday and these crocodiles added new attraction to the park.

The park authorities, as Dr Tapan said, are contemplating to breed this rare species here in a planned way to enrich the world of wildlife.

Chittagong views

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Inside of Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport

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A rest house in Cox's Bazar

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Foy's Lake Amusement Park

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i don't know why but i felt so sad seeing many of the pics.

that's an unusual reaction. Why?

very nice pictures, i like the pic with heeps of trees :) it loos refreshing

Awesome pics, thanks a lot Tmac! I didn't know that Chittagong has such beautiful theme park. The new resthouse in Cox's Bazar is also impressive.

Thanks for the pics Tmac. Where do you get them? I can't find any on the net...

Personally I was sad when I first saw pictures of this theme park. Foy's Lake was one of the few pristine natural attractions in Bangladesh. Now they have built this exceedingly garish and gaudy theme park there. I wish they had built structures that would blend into their natural setting, not distract from them.

Chittagong city itself, doesn't really have much historical or modern structures, but I am sure it will get plenty of the latter in the coming decades, as development gradually spills outward from Dhaka.

A temple in Bandarban, Chittagong. This happens to be also a prime tourist destination.

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Cox's Bazare is a resort town in Bangladesh. Many hotels have sprung up over the years. Here are few photos.

Hotel Sea Palace

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Hotel Media International

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Honeymoon Hotel

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Silvia Resort

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Motel Laboni

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Hotels Everywhere

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Hotel Seagull (5 Star)

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CDA plans to set up Butterfly Park, sea life aquarium


http://www.bangladesh-web.com/news/view.php?hidDate=2005-08-29&hidType=BAE&hidRecord=0000000000000000058787


BDNEWS, Chittagong:The Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) has taken a project to set up a Butterfly Park and sea life aquarium, first of its kind in the country, beside the city's newly built Patenga area.

The project, aimed to create open recreational space as well as to keep up natural environment harmonising with the sea, river, marine life, surrounding installations, landscape and topography, will also add passive amusement to the tourists particularly nature lovers.

The CDA have already invited a tender on August 23 from the reputed firms or individuals for setting up the Butterfly Park and sea life aquarium to be developed with basic objective of conservation of nature and biodiversity, a CDA engineer said.

But the CDA is yet to fix up the location of the project, as it would be kept in such form, which will add proactive recreational amenities by providing benches, pathways, walkways, car parks, refreshment, souvenir corner and landscape that suits the park and aquarium.

But initially it has been decided that the site will be located either adjacent to Chittagong International Airport or along side Dhaka-Chittagong highway at Baizeed, the sources said.

In line with the model of Malaysia and Singapore, it will cost Tk 1 crore for the Butterfly Park and Tk 5 crore for the sea life aquarium exclusive of developing other infrastructures, the sources said.

City planners, landscape architects and especially nature lovers hoped that the proposed exceptional park and aquarium would usher in a new avenue to the visitors from home and abroad, particularly to the people of the port city as well as commercial capital, who are in dire need of recreational facilities for years. There is no major recreational facility in the port city except the Foy's Lake and Patenga sea beach.

CDA will retain ownership of the land and extend other logistic supports but responsibility for maintenance, operation and promotion of the proposed Butterfly Park and aquarium will be entrusted upon the developer.

The park and aquarium will be leased out to the developers from which CDA will earn a smart amount of revenue each fiscal year.

Chittagong Railway Station

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Few Chittagong aerial pics

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Shopping Centers in Chittagong
With eye-catching decoration and lighting, all the shopping malls of the port city now wear a colourful look to attract costumers ahead of Eid Ul Fitr. Amin Centre, a shopping mall at Lalkhan Bazar Ispahani intersection, top, and Bipani Bitan, the New Marketing, bottom

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Inside the Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport

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some random Chittagong shots

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Under construction Akhtaruzzaman Centre - an 18 storied commercial cum shopping complex

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Foy's Lake Amusement Park

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5 Star Hotel Seagull in the distance

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Inside and Poolside view of Hotel Seagull

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Prasad Paradise - A luxury resort in Cox's Bazar

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/hotelsilmoon1.jpg Hotel Silmoon

http://www.hotelsilmoon.com/

The Hotel Silmoon is ideally situated in the heart of Chittagong, an oasis of luxury and tranquility in the heart of the bustling city, and offers easy access to all business districts and is in the Dampara, the most prestigious and uprising zone of the port ciy. Around the hotel premises Chittagong Police Head Quarters, Water Supply Head Office, Premier University and the National Jamiatul-Falah-Mosque are located.

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check out the photo gallery of 5 star Hotel Seagull in Cox's Bazar using the link below. You will love this!!

http://seagullhotelbd.com/gallery.htm

http://www.coxsbazarhotels.com/IMAGES/seagull/logo.gif 5 star Seagull Hotel

http://seagullhotelbd.com/index.html

Enjoying an unrivalled location, overlooking the Bay of Bengal (only 25 yards from the Bay water) and sitting in the laps of hills, Seagull Hotel offers deluxe accommodation in 182 well-appointed guest rooms and suites. The panoramic views of the Ocean, the Majestic hills and the natural beauty of the tamarisk trees are all wonderfully complemented by luxury facilities and Bangladeshi hospitality.

Seagull Hotel offers deluxe accommodation in 182 well appointed guest rooms and suites. Most modern comfortable rooms with attached bath. Every rooms are well furnished & different looking. Every rooms has got its own balcony and mini fridge.

Guests will appreciate tempting choice of fine restaurant and entertainment with every opportunity for fun and entertainment in the cool luxurious Swimming pool, Health Club, Tennis Courts, Beauty Saloon, Billiard and Card Room .

Local sightseeing and visits to the surrounding islands can be organized by our travel desk personnel. Seagull Hotel is the ideal venue for Banquets/Conferences, Seminars, Executive retreats, Board meetings and Parties.

Honeymooners will find romance in the elegance, tranquility and privacy of the resort and the hotel.


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Newly opened 2 star Asian SR Hotel at Station Road, left, and 4 star The Peninsula Chittagong, right, at the CDA Avenue.

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Peninsula Chittagong hotel opens


Feb 9: The Peninsula Chittagong, a newly-built four-star hotel located at the city's GEC crossing is almost set to commence its functioning on February 17.

The city's tallest hotel built with the joint investment of US, Finland and Bangladesh will have all types of modern amenities to ensure comfort to its all guests including rooftop health club Sky Gym offering stunning view of the port city, golf putting green on the rooftop, Orchid pastry shop, Flamingo café, Laguna restaurant, Isles bar and state-of-the-art safety and security system.

Apart from the eye catching design, the hotel will have 122 rooms of which forty-four with twin beds, seventy with queen beds and eight luxury suites providing all modern amenities.

Former State Minister for Civil aviation and Tourism and vice chairman of the Peninsula, Engineer Mosharraf Hossain said this at a press conference yesterday.

Dr. Golam Arshad, Chairman, Mustafa Thaseen Arshad, Managing Director, Mustafa Tarique Arshad Director and Bilkis Arshad, D.G.M Shahabuddin and Marketing Manager Kakali Farhana were present at the press conference.

Speakers said that despite different obstacles The Peninsula Chittagong will start its journey to meet the demand of the tourists and investors of home and abroad.

They said that in the past foreign visitors was reluctant to stay in Chittagong for lack of suitable accommodation.

The launching of The Peninsula Chittagong will meet this gap, they added.

http://independent-bangladesh.com/news/feb/10/10022006bs.htm#A3

The Peninsula looks cool!

Asian University for Women in work begins in Sept

The construction of the Asian University for Women will begin in September at Pahartali in Chittagong involving an estimated $100 million with the assistance of the University for Women Support Foundation.

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master plan

A memorandum of understanding to this effect will be signed between the government and the Boston-based foundation.

This was disclosed when a visiting foundation delegation led by its chairman Jack Meyer called on the education minister, M Osman Farruk, on Monday.

Farruk said the government was sincere in establishing the university for women and 130 acres of land had been given to the university foundation.

Jack Meyer said the design of the university had been finalised and the foundation would establish an office in Dhaka for monitoring the construction work.

He expressed the hope that the establishment of the university would enable women of different countries in Asia to acquire knowledge and to work as the focal point of women’s development.

Twenty-five per cent of the seats will be reserved for Bangladeshi students.

The academic activities of the university are expected to begin in September 2007.

The foundation chairman also called on foreign minister M Morshed Khan.

So far, the foundation has received $15 million initial contribution from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and $20 million from Kuwait Foundation.

Commitments have been received from Qatar amir for $20 million, from USAID ($850,000), from the Open Society Institute ($450,000) and from Unocal Foundation ($50,000).

The Saudi Fund for Development, ICB, OPEC Fund, UNDP, UNESCO and some EU countries have also committed to support the foundation for establishing the university.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html

Some more info on this project

One hundred and four acres of land at Pahartali in Chittagong have already been acquired for the university.
Official sources said a committee of representatives from different levels of the government earlier carried a feasibility study in some districts to find out a location for the university.
The committee has finally recommended that the university be set up in Chittagong. The university will be modelled after the Asian Institute of Technology of Thailand.
The Asian Development Bank has made the effort to establish the university to produce efficient human resources through higher education of the women in the regions.
The Chittagong Development Authority has already taken up a Tk 33-crore project to build a six-kilometre, 120-feet wide connecting road; a one-kilometre bridge on the existing railway line will also be set up at a cost of Tk 8 crore.
A team of 10 engineers of US-based construction firm Elizabeth will be engaged in the overall activities, including the structural design of the university. The team is expected to reach Chittagong very soon.
Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Amir Humayoon Mahmud Chowdhury, who is in charge of the local coordination of the project, said a new township and a high-tech village will also be developed centring the university campus.
The university, slated to open in 2008, will admit 25 per cent of its students from Bangladesh and the remaining 75 per cent from other countries in Asia, Chowdhury said.
The university will be the second international standards institution for women in Asia after the one in Thailand and the first of its kind in Asia.
The Bangladesh Consultants Ltd, a consulting firm of the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge, has been entrusted with the responsibility of supervising the construction works of the university, the sources said.
The university will be international in scope and committed to serving women in Asia from all religious, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, with a particular focus on women from marginalised and underserved communities.
The university will provide opportunities for women to study information technology, environmental engineering, sustainable development, management, education and public policy, the online release said.
It will also offer a five-year joint BA/MA course that will combine a broad liberal arts and science foundation with professional training.
It will also offer up to a year of prematriculation training in English, math and computers for promising students who require additional training in those fields for university entrance.
The first stage of the master plan will ascertain space requirements for the campus, number and types of classrooms, student and faculty housing, support facilities and other things.
The construction of the university will get under way in 2006, said the website of the New York-based Asian University for Women Support Foundation.

Work for 308-bed modern hospital begins

Earth-filling work for construction of 308-bed Imperial Hospital is progressing fast to make the first-ever general hospital of international standard in the port city to be operational in 2008.

The lenders and stakeholders of Imperial Hospital Project at a meeting here last week discussed various aspects of the project and expressed satisfaction over the progress made so far towards its implementation, sources said.

The hospital aims at delivering specialised treatment such as cardiology, nephrology, neonatology, neuro-surgery, orthopedics, oncology and internal medicine in Chittagong.


The project includes a full fledged outpatient department with 40 independent consulting clinics to take care of 1000 patients a day, full range of diagnostic facilities, a Nursing Training Institute with a capacity of enrolling 50 students a year, a dormitory for 250 nurses and a patient attendants' dormitory (hotel), sources said.


"With a view to providing international standard healthcare service, the Imperial Hospital Limited (IHL), a joint venture of Chittagong Eye Infirmary and Training Complex (CEITC) and Ispahani Group of Companies, is constructing the hospital on 7.30 acres of land at Pahartali in the port city," said IHL Chairman Prof Rabiul Husain.

Mirza Salman Ispahani of Ispahani Group is the managing director of IHL, is a public limited company in Chittagong with an authorised capital of Tk 100 crore.

The total cost of the project, including the Nurses Training Institute, is around Tk 350 crore. M/S Kaplan McLaughlin Diaz (KMD), a USA-based healthcare, architectural and engineering consultant engaged for the design and drawing work, is at the final stage of the schematic design of the hospital project.

Salman Ispahani said the project is expected to provide employment opportunity for around 1200 people of different categories. The hospital will provide treatment to 10 per cent of the patients free of cost.


He said senior consultant physicians as well as highly trained and experienced nurses and technical hands will be recruited from abroad to ensure healthcare services of international standard.


The Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO), besides its participation in the equity, will have responsibility of the lead arranger of all loan components both local and international.

Trinity Health International, the third largest healthcare group in the USA with staff strength of 47,000, will run the institution that would have its own independent uninterrupted power generation and supply, they said.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/03/15/d603153502120.htm


World-class hospital work goes on

Training institute for nurses planned

The Chittagong Eye Infirmary and Training Complex Trust and the Ispahani Group of Companies have undertaken a Tk 350-crore project to set up a world-class hospital in Chittagong.
A two-day meeting of the lenders and stakeholders of the proposed Imperial Hospital Limited was held in the in the eye infirmary auditorium on Wednesday. A news briefing followed the meeting.
The chairman of the proposed hospital, Rabiul Husain, said the hospital would be set up to deliver standard healthcare services in Chittagong.
He said the hospital would provide treatment for 1000 patients in its cardiology, nephrology, neonatalogy, neurosurgery, orthopaedic, oncology, and medicine departments. He said the authorities also planned to set up a training institute for nurses.
‘Senior consultant physicians and trained and experienced nurses, and technical hands will be recruited from abroad in the initial years to ensure world-class healthcare services,’ he said.
Rabiul said the construction had already begun at Pahartali, on the outskirts of the city, and the hospital is expected to go into operation by the third quarter of 2008.
The managing director of the hospital, Mirza Salman Ispahani, representatives from United States-based Architectural Project Management and Operational Management Group and investing firm Netherlands Development Finance Company, Arno PJ de Vette, David Vellinga, Bob Beyer, Whim H Griep, Mahmudul Islam, Mohinder Singh Dutt, Larry Parrett, Mark Brito, Kevin Stansbury and Mahmood Malik also attended the briefing.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html

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Entrance Gate of the Chittagong Zoo

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Chittagong Court House

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Foy's Lake

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Kaptai Lake Hanging Bridge

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A temple in Cox's Bazar

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Uni Resort

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Chittagong Zia Memorial Complex opens to public Monday

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The Zia Memorial Complex in Chittagong, known as Mini Bangladesh, is set to open to the visitors from Monday.
The prime minister, Khaleda Zia, is expected to inaugurate the complex, constructed at a cost of Tk 65 crore at the city’s Kalurghat Radio Transmission Centre area from where the proclamation of the country’s independence was broadcast in 1971.
The visitors will get chance of visiting almost all the archaeological installations of the country as their replicas have been set up there.
The workers were found busy on Tuesday to give the finishing touch on the miniature models of the national assembly (Jatiya Sangsad) building, Central Shaheed Minar, Curzon Hall, Ahsan Manzil, Darbar Hall, and South Gate of Lalbagh Fort in Dhaka, National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar, St Nicolas Church in Gazipur, Kantaji Temple in Dinajpur, Buddhist Temple in Paharpur, Chhota Kutir and Bara Kutir in Rajshahi and Shat Gambuj Mosque in Khulna.
A number of rides for the children, including cable car and electric train, also have been set up in the complex, and a 71-metre high watchtower is being constructed at an extra cost of Tk 9 crore.
Abu Taher, superintendent engineer of the housing and settlement department, said a revolving restaurant would be set up at the 52-metre height of the tower, from where the visitors would be able to enjoy the eye-catching scenario of the complex as well as the city. The watchtower is scheduled to be completed by next three months he said.
The department sources said the implementation of the project was initiated on December 5 in 2004 and the construction work was scheduled to be completed by June 2006.
But the project had been implemented earlier than the stipulated period as the government was willing to inaugurate the complex before the expiry of its current tenure, sources added.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html

Work of Zia Memorial Complex at Kalurghat almost complete

CHITTAGONG:–Almost seventy-five percent work of the Shaheed Zia Memorial Complex (SZMC) at Bangladesh Betar Transmission Center (BBTC) at Kalurghat in the city has completed.

Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has been implementing the project at BBTC premises at Kalurghat at a cost of Taka 55.95 crore. The site has become famous for proclamation of the country's Independence War in 1971 by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman from the Kalurghat Radio Transmission Center.

The government has undertaken the project to keep afresh the memory of the glorious War of Liberation to the people particularly the future generation through preserving this historic site.

Saidur Rahman, project supervisor of the construction firm Concord told BSS that work of the project is progressing fast and they would be able to complete the construction within June 2006.

Officials said over 13.67 acres of land is being developed under a design which could be a `Mini Bangladesh' as it will be decorated with different miniature structures of historic, archeological and architectural importance, life and culture of people of different parts of the country, including the tribal people, and also set up recreational facilities.

Eighty percent work of a lake with fountains and replica of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban at the center has completed, sources said.

Other works of the complex; including wide gate, a 200 feet high tower with stairs, elevators and restaurant, a tunnel for monorail, three rail station buildings similar to Church of Saint Nicholas at Gazipur, Choto Sona Mosque and Baro Khuiti in Rajshahi, replicas of Carzon Hall, National Monument at Savar, Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manjil, Paharpur Monastery and houses of different tribal people are also nearing completion.

The SZMC and rest of the areas in the BBTC will be surrounded by the greenery where visitors could have a glimpse of Bangladesh besides remembering the glorious past of the nation - the War of Liberation 1971 and know the sacrifices and contributions of the valiant freedom fighters.

http://www.bangladeshobserveronline.com/new/2005/09/23/national.htm

Opening of Zia Memorial Complex in Kalurghat deferred to next month

NAZIMUDDIN SHYAMOL, CHITTAGONG

Mar 28: The inauguration of the Zia Memorial Complex at Kalurghat in the port city of Chittagong was deferred to next month as the construction work was yet to be completed.

Zia Memorial Complex, likely to be one of the most attractive tourist spots in the port city, was due to have been inaugurated on March 26. But now the authorities expect it to be formally opened launched sometime next month by Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The authorities are trying to complete the work of the complex, hopefully in next 10 to 15 days.

Sources said, construction of Zia Memorial Complex began in December 2004 last on a 17 acres of land near the Kalurghat Radio Station at a cost of Tk 64 crore. According to the plan, the Complex will be a mini Bangladesh.

It will contain miniature structures of Jatiya Smriti Shoudha of Savar, Ahasan Monjil of Dhaka, Mohasthan Garh of Bogura, Sona Mosjid of Rajshahi, Boro Kutir, Choto Kutir, Putia Jamidar Bari and also Carzon Hall of Dhaka University. Besides, there will be some entertainment places, like Paris Wheel, Circus Swing, Bumper Car, Family Boller, Mini Train for amusement of the visitors, sources said.

A 71-feet high tower and a moving glass restaurant will be there to give added attraction to Zia Memorial Complex.

BNP leader Abu Sufian said, the new Complex will be a major attraction for tourists and visitors.

Earlier, the government also converted the old circuit house in Chittagong into a Zia Memorial Museum in honour of the then president and freedom fighter Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, who was brutally killed by misguided army personnel in May 1981 during an aborted coup. Besides, another Zia Memorial Complex was built in Rangunia where the bullet-ridden body of Ziaur Rahman was first buried, before being flown to Dhaka.

It may be mentioned that Zia, then an army Major, announced the independence message on behalf of Bangabhandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from Kalurghat Raido Station on March 27, 197

http://independent-bangladesh.com/news/mar/29/29032006pl.htm#A4

CCC introduces bus service for women

CHITTAGONG, March 31 (BDNEWS): Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) is introducing the first ever female bus service in the port city from today (Saturday).
Chittagong City Mayor A B M Mohiuddin Chowdhury in his pre-election pledge announced to introduce such bus services for female students and workingwomen in four routes of the city.
The city mayor will formally inaugurate the bus service at Anderkillah Square Saturday.
Around a hundred 29-seat Japanese buses have already been converted into CNG-run vehicles and 85 ticket counters have been set up at different spots on the proposed routes to implement the service, said a CCC official.
Initially ten buses will ply in four routes: Bahadderhat to Patenga sea beach, Fouzderhat to Halishahar via Agrabad and Nandirhat to Airport. More buses will be brought in gradually.
Numbers of passenger-sheds have also been erected at different stoppages to complement the service.
CCC and Shah Amin Bus service have already signed an agreement in this regard.
According to corporation sources, adequate security measures will be taken for smooth and hassle free journey.

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=4/1/2006&section_id=3&newsid=20391&spcl=no

Chittagong Ethnological Museum

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Museum in Chittagong that houses culture of 25 ethnic groups

The Chittagong Ethnological Museum, the country’s lone ethnological museum, offers the visitors the chance to acquaint with the lifestyles and heritage of various ethnic groups of the country.
The museum authorities had collected rare elements used in everyday lives of different ethnic groups, of which some had already become extinct while some were on the verge of extinction.
Three galleries of the museum feature diverse elements of 25 ethnic groups, including Chakma, Marma, Tongsinga, Khumi, Murang, Sautal, Garo, Chak, Monipuri, Palia, Tipra, Hajang, Lusai, Shimuji, and Bom while the rest gallery displays the lifestyles of some racial groups of India, Pakistan, and Australia.
The sculptures of the people of different ethnic communities and a piece of broken Berlin Wall draw the visitors especially the children who can get impression of different festivals, livelihoods, and cultures of the communities from the murals set up at the hall room.
Rakhi Roy, research assistant of the museum, said people between 200 and 300 visits the museum every day in addition to a number of researchers from home and abroad.
‘We make arrangements for the school and college students free of cost upon the requests from the institutions, and three to four institutions in the city take this opportunity every month.’
She also informed that there are only two ethnological museums in Asia —one in Chittagong and the other at Tokyo in Japan.
The Chittagong Ethnological Museum established in 1965 remains open to the visitors from 10:00am to 5:00pm except Sunday.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html

CCCI, Concord sign deal on construction of World Trade Centre

Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and Concord Engineers and Construction Limited, a sister concern of Concord Group, yesterday signed a deal on construction of the country's first-ever World Trade Centre (WTC) here.

The WTC will be constructed at Agrabad in the port city at a cost of Tk 141 crore. The physical work of the 20-storey WTC will start within this month.

CCCI President Saifuzzaman Chowdhury and Concord Group Chairman SM Kamal Uddin signed the agreement on behalf of their organisations. Concord was the lowest bidder among all the local and international firms.

State Minister for Forest and Environment Jafrul Islam Chowdhury, also the former president of CCCI, and Advisor to the Ministry of Commerce Barkat Ullah Bulu were also present.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/04/06/d60406050760.htm

Randoms shots of the port city

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Chittagong Club

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Foy's Lake

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Patenga Sea Beach

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http://www.asiansrhotel.com/monogram1.gif Asian SR Hotel

http://www.asiansrhotel.com/

Asian SR Hotel is a 10 storied new Luxury Hotel in Chittagong city of Bangladesh with 65 exclusive, affordable and prestigious rooms. The Hotel is conveniently located on the heart of Chittagong City center – only 100 meters from Chittagong Main railway station and main Bus Station and within easy reach of top shopping centers, entertainment and the attractive places of Chittagong city. Asian SR Hotel offers services and facilities to ensure that your stay is pleasant and that you experience the utmost in comforts at all times. This hotel provides many first class services and facilities that are in conformance with international standards.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/asiansrhotel.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/asiansrhotel3.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/asiansrhotel3-1.jpg

http://www.asiansrhotel.com/receiption1.jpg

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http://www.asiansrhotel.com/bed5.jpg

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Pizza Hut in Chittagong

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Random Chittagong street scene

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Chittagong business district

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chittagong looks very ugly . dhaka is very cool and it rocks !!!!!!

Chittagong doesn't have the history or the modern development of Dhaka which is why it looks shabby...however this will change as development gradually spills out of Dhaka. It does have a more scenic location than Dhaka with hills and beach but many of the hills have been levelled as the city spreads. It does have a few historic buildings like the Court House and Train Station but they are in bad need of restoration...if they are refurbished they will look nice. In a few decades with more development this place will look a lot different.

A motel in Cox's Bazar

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Beach Area

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The old Chittagong railway station now restored

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This is great to hear. Lack of architectural conservation is a big problem for Bangladesh. Is this restoration completed yet? The area looks cleaned up, but no paint yet. In Chittagong the Court House is the other old landmark that needs attention.

The photos are awesome, the beach is excellent, is that jhanak plaza some famous place ? it seems that it is a good place to hang out in the town. I liked the vip tower too. btw your autos are better than indian autos the color suits the structure :).


I have personal question , in last winter I was wondering about the following question. that is in west bengal india the structures of rikshaws are different in different distrricts ( for example the birbhum rikshaws are low floor comfortable hey dont laugh , in purulia its wider, in kolkata suburbs its the ugliest ) is there similar sort of diversity in bangladesh? I am planning to make a photographic study of the rikshaws. its totally an artistic curiosity, personally I prefer a good rikshaw to NY cabs! :)

KEPZ starts allocation of plots

Karnaphuli Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) has started allocation of its plots developed under first phase of its Tk 84 crore project.

The Karnaphuli EPZ, 8th state-owned export processing zone in the country, developed 100 plots on 74 acres of land under the first phase of the project involving Tk 34 crore.

Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (Bepza) is implementing the project in two phases on some 222 acres of land at Patenga area in the port city.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/06/07/2006-06-07__ctg01.jpg
Karnaphuli Export Processing Zone at Patenga


The land of the closed down Chittagong Steel Mills Limited was handed over to Bepza for setting up the second EPZ in Chittagong on April 1 last year.

Infrastructure development and preparation of the plots started under the first phase financed by the government immediately after handing over of the land.

The Bepza authorities completed preparation of the plots, developed drainage system and infrastructure for T&T service, sources said.

A deep tube-well with the production capacity of 200 cubic metres of water per hour has also been installed.

Development of 80 per cent of the infrastructure required for providing other utility services like water, power and gas has been completed so far under the first phase that would expire on June 30.

To complete the remaining development of infrastructure the authorities will have to get the tenure of the first phase extended until October, engineers said.

Ataul Hoque, project director of KEPZ, said the EPZ has attracted a huge number of intended investors from home and abroad since the EPZ is located in a suitable place adjoining to Chittagong port and Chittagong airport.

Over 150 investors have submitted applications against 100 plots so far, of which, 37 have already been allocated, Ataul said.

The entrepreneurs and investors who got the allotment are 16 from Taiwan, 14 from Sri Lanka, two from Thailand and the rest are locals, he said.

He said allocation of the rest 63 plots will also be made within the next few months and the investors will be able to set up industrial units on them within a year.

"But, if the investors, who got the plots, want to start setting up of industrial units and go for operation immediately we will have to make arrangement for services like medical services and education," Ataul added.

"So we are thinking of proposing another project for developing the facilities which are not included in the first phase of the project," he said.

Tenure of the first phase requires to be extended for setting up of 11 KV substation, which is yet to be started.

The sub-station will convert and distribute power from the main supply line of Power Development Board (PDB), said the sources.

Executive Engineer Mohammad Mizanur Rahman said they will start work to set up the substation immediately after arrival of the imported transformer to complete it by October.

Bepza will develop infrastructure and 120 more plots on the 148 acres of land under the second phase of the project with the financial assistance of the World Bank.

World Bank will provide 80 per cent of Tk 50 crore for implementation of the project under the second phase and the government will bear the remaining 20 per cent, sources said.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/06/07/d606073501134.htm

I have personal question , in last winter I was wondering about the following question. that is in west bengal india the structures of rikshaws are different in different distrricts ( for example the birbhum rikshaws are low floor comfortable hey dont laugh , in purulia its wider, in kolkata suburbs its the ugliest ) is there similar sort of diversity in bangladesh? I am planning to make a photographic study of the rikshaws. its totally an artistic curiosity, personally I prefer a good rikshaw to NY cabs! :)

Re: your Rickshaw question(s) -- yes different areas have different rickshaw models. Same goes for autorickshaws too. In Dhaka some rickshaws I've seen are the new redesigned 'ergonomic models' although very rare. One homegrown model unique to Bangladesh is the 'mishuk' 70/100 cc engined autorickshaw/ Locally developed -- this is a little bigger than a pedal rickshaw with a steel-pipe frame cab and plastic sheet covering.

Pics below and sorry for the off-topic post everyone.

http://www.greatestcities.com/6022pic/478/CP29478.jpg/Dhaka_street_scene_veiled_woman.jpg

CPA to build flyover in Chittagong

The Chittagong Port Authority has taken a Tk 200 crore project to construct a five-kilometer flyover for faster cargo transport and for easing traffic congestion in the city.
The CPA will construct the flyover from the Barik Building crossing to the Export Processing Zone gate on its own expenditure, said sources in the CPA adding no toll would, however, be collected from the public transports for using the flyover.
On completion of the project, the existing road stretch from the Barik Building crossing to the EPZ gate would be reserved only for the vehicles carrying goods to and from the port, the sources said.
More than 5,000 trucks and lorries and several thousand public transports ply on the route everyday causing severe traffic congestion and it takes almost two hours to pass the two-km road stretching from the Barik Building crossing to the Customs crossing because of the tailback.
The CPA chairman, AMM Shahadat Hossain, told New Age that they had discussed the matter with the Chittagong Development Authority and
the Chittagong City Corporation, two concerned bodies for any construction in the city, and they had responded positively.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html

Big screens for World Cup in Chittagong

Three mega television monitors were set up at different crossings in the Chittagong city to watch the World Cup football tournament. The Chittagong City Corporation set up a monitor at the New-market crossing when an advertisement company had set up two other monitors at Badamtali and GEC crossings earlier to telecast business promotional. Thousands of spectators gathered in front of each monitor during the football matches at the past three nights and enjoyed the tournament on ten to fifteen feet long monitors.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html

Tk 225 crore CDA projects to develop city roads


Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) has taken three projects worth Tk 225 crore for developing roads to maintain hierarchy of road network and open up new urban area in the port city.

The government has approved the projects under its Annual Development Programme (ADP) of 2006-2007 fiscal year in May.

The roads to be developed as per recommendations of Chittagong Metropolitan Master Plan (CMMP) included North-South Link Road, Link Road from CEPZ to Port Connecting Road (Port By-pass Road) and Widening and Improvement of Siraj-Ud Doula Road.

CPA will also provide Tk 42 crore for the Tk 86 crore Port By-pass Road project, sources said.

Under the Tk 115.22 crore North-South Link Road project, a six-km road with a width of 120 feet to 160 feet will be constructed from Ambagan to Dhaka Trank Road-Bayezid Bostami Link Road near the proposed Asian University for Women, sources said.

The road will run through a bit of hilly terrain to link the landlocked new growing areas of Foyez Lake and Bayezid Bostami with the main city.

Of the total fund, around 90 crore will be spent for acquisition of land to construct the road, said the sources.

The CMMP prepared under the technical and financial assistance of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Centre for Human Settlement (UNCHS) in 1995 put an special emphasis on developing the road to open up new urban areas in the in the city's northern fringe to accommodate growing urban population and activities, sources at CDA said.

The implementation of the project is scheduled to start next month to be completed by 2010.

Under the Tk 86 crore CEPZ-Port Connecting Link Road (Port By-pass Road) project, a road will be constructed on the southwestern side of the city linking Cement Crossing with Port Connecting Road.

Passing through a vast track of land, the road will link the airport, CEPZ, Chittagong port and other different important installations at Patenga.

The road will also create an easy communication linkage between Halishahar and Faujderhat industrial areas, said the sources.

Construction of the Port By-pass Road with a width of 160 feet will begin this year and to be completed by 2010-2011 financial year, sources added.

Some 20.76 acres of land will be acquired from Bangladesh Railway, Water Development Board, Housing Settlement Department and private owners for construction of the road that will also serve as an outer ring road for Sadarghat, Shah Amanat Bridge, Oxygen-Quaish Road and Bayezid Bostami Road, sources said.

A project involving TK 23.61crore has also been taken for expansion and improvement of Siraj-ud-Doula Road.

Siraj-ud-Doula was developed 20 years ago for vehicular movement from Kaptai, Kalurghat and Mohara industrial area to the traditional business hubs in the then city centre of Asadganj, Khatunganj and Chaktai. Development of the road became indispensable as it lost traffic volume due to narrowness and was unable to make passage for some five lakh people using the road everyday.

CDA, however, removed illegal structures from both the sides of the road to start expansion work.

Of the total cost of the project, around Tk 18 crore was required for land acquisition and compensation, sources said.

Construction of the road is scheduled to start next month to be completed by June 2009.

After completion of work, the road will create a good communication linkage between Chawk Bazar, Bahadderhat, Muradpur and Anderkilla, Kotwali and Asadganj-Khatunganj areas, sources said.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/06/14/d606143501151.htm

Hotel Saint Martin in Chittagong

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A seaside "Hotel Sea Crown" in Cox's Bazar

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/seacrownhotel.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagongpeninsula3.jpg The Peninsula Chittagong

http://www.peninsulactg.com/

The Peninsula is a 14 storied 4 star business hotel in Chittagong. The city's tallest hotel built with the joint investment of US, Finland and Bangladesh has all types of modern amenities to ensure comfort to its all guests including rooftop health club Sky Gym offering stunning view of the port city, golf putting green on the rooftop, Orchid pastry shop, Flamingo café, Laguna restaurant, Isles bar and state-of-the-art safety and security system.

Apart from the eye catching design, the hotel has 122 rooms of which forty-four with twin beds, seventy with queen beds and eight luxury suites providing all modern amenities.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagongpeninsula2.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/peninsulachittagong.jpg

some photos of Chittagong.

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http://www.agrabadhotels.com/imeges/logo_hotel.jpg Hotel Agrabad

http://www.agrabadhotels.com/index.html

Hotel Agrabad Chittagong is an international business hotel ideally located in the heart of the Agrabad commercial area, Chittagong’s financial business vicinity.

Hotel Agrabad Chittagong’s 110 spacious hotel rooms and suites feature a host of modern amenities. Luxurious International standard facilities ensure that Hotel Agrabad guests enjoy a relaxed and comfortable hotel stay.

Hotel Agrabad guests wishing to unwind after business meetings can relax over a drink at the Trishita Bar or with a game of Billiards on the first floor. For a more picturesque view of the Karnafuli River and Bataali Hills at Sunset, guests can enjoy these spectacular sights from the Tower Roof Garden. For the art loving guests wishing to see local artistic talents, the Art Gallery is situated adjacent to the Manini Restaurant.
Guests wishing to sustain their health regime will find Hotel Agrabad’s Health Club offers a gymnasium for basic keep fit, while for recreation, Hotel Agrabad offers an impressive swimming pool. The entire hotel's health and leisure facilities are tailored to meet guests' individual needs, with professional hotel staff on hand to assist.

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http://www.agrabadhotels.com/pages/magicgallery/i.jpg

Two motels near Dhaka-Chittagong highway

The Aristocrat Motel

http://www.thearistocratmotel.com/

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/aristocrat.jpg

Highway Motel

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/highwaymotel.jpg

The entrance to the Concord Amusement world in Foy's Lake
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Biponi Bitan - An old yet quite popular shopping arcade in Chittagong
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/biponibitan.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagongstreetchaos.jpg

rendering of the under construction 20 storied Chittagong World Trade Centre
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/chittagongworldtradecenter.jpg

Chittagong needs major investment in infrastructure development, from the pics it looks like it is lagging behind Dhaka in every aspect. I think the proposed $900 million expressway between Dhaka and Chittagong as well as the development of Chittagong port will open the door of investment in the city..

Alsp,the roads needs to be made rickshaw free, no modern cities in the world have so many non-motorized vehicles in street. Or atleast seperate lanes should be constructed.

Deal struck with Japanese
firm, the lowest bidder
Khawaza Main Uddin

The government on Wednesday signed an agreement with a Japanese firm to carry out a study on the planned deep-sea port to meet the growing needs of the country’s export-import activities and to make it a regional hub.
The study will examine both the economic and technical feasibility of setting up such a port in one of the nine locations of the country’s deep-sea territory, including Maheshkhali, Teknaf and St Martin’s Island in Cox’s Bazar, Sandwip in Chittagong, and Akram point near Mongla Port in Khulna.
The shipping ministry awarded the contract to the Pacific Consultant International which was the lowest bidder in the international tender. Its offered cost is Tk 11.27 crore although the total cost of the contract, involving different taxes, stands at Tk 13.24 crore, said officials.
Apart from site selection and surveys on deep-sea port development, the terms of reference of the study include review and analysis of the present state, assessment of potential market and business opportunities, port administrative and public services participation models, planning, lay-out, and cost estimates, project appraisal and project management.
Nepal Chandra Sarker, a joint secretary of the shipping ministry, and Mototoshi Kakiuchi, director of the Japanese firm, signed the deal at a simple ceremony attended by the state minister for shipping, Quamrul Islam, and concerned high officials.
In the study, the Japanese firm will play the lead role while three local firms — Dexterous Consultants Ltd, JEP Consulting Bangladesh Ltd and Dev Consultants Ltd — and Bangkok-based Asian Engineering Consultants Corp Ltd will be its associates.
The deep-sea project is expected to cost some Tk 3,000 to Tk 4,000 crore and take 7-8 years for commissioning, according to a rough estimate made at an earlier meeting chaired by the former minister, the late Akbar Hossain. The prime minister directed the shipping ministry in 2004 to take the initiative.
But the state minister, who has just this week taken charge, said that the government had virtually entered the process of setting up the deep-sea port with the signing of the deal. He also termed the initiative for construction of a deep-sea port as fully justified in view of the country’s present needs.
A World Bank consultant, earlier in 1998, said it was not necessary to set up a deep-sea port in Bangladesh, but conceded that such a scheme might be taken up in view of Bangladesh’s involvement with SAARC, BIMSTEC and ASEAN countries.
The country’s volume of export through seaports is at present about 22 million tonnes with a 10 per cent growth every year. The annual growth in loading and unloading of containers is even higher — between 12 to 15 per cent.
Currently, mother vessels going to and from Chittagong Port, the country’s main sea outlet, have to moor at the outer bar anchorage. Cargoes are loaded and unloaded through lighters, a process that is both expensive and time-consuming.

http://www.newagebd.com/front.html#13

The old Chittagong Railway Station

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Construction of the third Karnaphuli Bridge

DHAKA, July 14 Asia Pulse - Construction work on the Third Karnaphuli Bridge will start on August 7, fulfilling a long-cherished demand of the people of Chittagong.

Communications Minister Nazmul Huda disclosed the work plan at the contract paper-signing ceremony of the bridge here Thursday.

Chief Engineer of Roads and Highways department ARM Anwar Hossain and representatives of contracting firms of the bridge signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.

Major Bridge Engineering Company of China and Al Amin Construction Company of Bangladesh and Kopri Company of Kuwait have been jointly selected as contracting firms for lowest bidding at Tk 3.363 billion (US$48.7 million) for civil construction work on the bridge.

Addressing the occasion, Nazmul Huda said the government decided to construct the bridge due to Chittagong's important role in the national economy -- as the seaport is Bangladesh's commercial lifeline.

He said the bridge would improve communications between Cox's Bazar and Chittagong.

The 4 lane third Karnaphuli Bridge, 950 metres in length and 24 metres in width, will be constructed about 50 meters upstream from Shah Amanat Bridge over the Karnaphuli river on Dhaka-Chittagong-Cox's Bazar Highway.

It will have separate lane for the slow moving vehicles, and is scheduled to be completed in a little over three years.

The government has already signed a loan agreement of Tk 3.720 billion with the Kuwait Fund to finance the four-lane bridge.

http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060714/4/2n5fc.html

CDA plans flyover

The Chittagong Development Authority has undertaken a Tk 40-crore project to construct a flyover at the GEC crossing to ease the traffic congestion in the city.
The 2.5-kilometre flyover will stretch from the Prabartak crossing to Jakir Hossain Road, sources in the CDA said. ‘We are making efforts to launch the project in the current fiscal year,’ an official said.
On completion of the project, buses and trucks to and from Dhaka, Comilla and Noakhali can easily enter the city, bypassing the busiest GEC crossing, the sources added saying that it will reduce the time-consumption of the inter-district buses and trucks, and make the vehicular movement at the GEC crossing easier.
The CDA chairman, Shah Mohammad Akhtaruddin, said they would implement the project with their own funds. ‘The implementation of the project is likely to be started in the current financial year.’
The flyover will not only ease the traffic congestion at the GEC crossing, but also in the city, the chairman said.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html

A view of the port city

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Bangladesh Railway Regional Headquarter in Chittagong

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Sadharan Bima to build luxurious apartment complex in Chittagong

Sadharan Bima Corporation and ABC-Real Estates Joint Venture signed an agreement in the city recently for construction of a luxurious apartment complex in Khulshi, Chittagong, said a press release.
Md lqramul Haque, DGM, Sadharan Bima Corporation (SBC), and architect Mostaqur Rahman, director, ABC-Real Estates Joint Venture, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.
The signing ceremony was held in presence of Humayun Kabir, managing director, Khandaker Akhtaruzzaman, general manager, and other high officials of SBC.
SC Ghosh, Nashid Islam and Srabanti Datta of ABC-Real Estates Joint Venture were also present on the occasion.
Earlier, ABC-Real Estates was selected by the SBC to develop the proposed multi-storied apartment complex on a land owned by SBC in the neighborhood of Khulshi.
This complex, having all modern amenities like swimming pool. health club, recreation centre and children's play area, would be one of the lucrative residential complexes in Chittagong.

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=4/25/2006&section_id=8&newsid=22669&spcl=no

Hotel Sea Palace

http://www.western-group.com/sea_palace.html

This week we turn to one of those few tourist attractions that Bangladesh can actually be proud of. This place is certainly worthy of a review, considering that the number in question is pitifully low. It is needless to give a flowery introduction, because from the above mentioned, Cox's Bazar has already crossed your minds.

Although having always been the biggest and best-preferred tourist resort of Bangladesh, until about 15 years ago, a thin crowd of foreigners dominated Cox's Bazar's tourism. However, times and trends have changed and now foreign tourists are a difficult sight to come by for weeks, as they have been overtaken by local holiday- makers. But the crowd of local tourists can be overwhelming during the peak season in winter and during long vacations like the two Eid holidays.

A few years back, the crowds reached such large numbers that turists often could not find any hotel rooms for days. Now however, a proud change in scenario can be boasted.

While the beach town still lacks international-standard tourist amenities and recreational facilities, Cox's Bazar surely offers the widest range of accommodation facilities in the country. Right now, the town has more than 115 residential hotels and rest houses, including the beautiful beach side Hotel Seagull and the magnificent Sea Palace hotels. At any given time, this means the town can accommodate no less than 20000 tourists. By Bangladeshi tourism standards- that is immense.

Visiting Cox's Bazar during the rainy season is an off-beat affair. But it can be rewarding if you are interested in a nice and quiet time at the beach. Right now, the beach is clean. The waves of the Bay of Bengal are stronger. The weather can be very hot and sultry at times, or very humid or rainy during others. The weather is definitely not as enjoyable as that of the winter, but you have to forgo some of those benefits if you want a nice and quiet vacation at the beach town.

Two hotels will surely draw your attention, if you are ready to spend like a tourist. The well-known Hotel Seagull has undergone a major change and is claiming to have become a five-star hotel with 188 rooms, along with a superb garden and excellent exterior. Since I did not get to stay there this time round, I will continue my review with the other hotel-Hotel Sea Palace.

Hotel Sea Palace clearly boasts being the biggest hotel in Bangladesh in terms of size. Built by the local Western Group for an investment of around Tk 100 crore, the two complexes of accommodation and amenities take up half of the six-acre land of the hotel. Of the two complexes, the Western Plaza was opened to the public in December 2003 and it commands a three star standard. The other is the five star standard Crown Plaza, launched in October 2004.

During the off-season, like all other hotels in the beach town, Hotel Sea Palace also offers special discounts.

The Crown Plaza houses 100 air conditioned spacious rooms with four special suites and the Western Plaza 153 rooms, 75 of them with air conditioners, and four semi-suites. In addition, the hotel has a boardroom for 120 people and a ballroom with a 1000 capacity, restaurants and other amenities. The hotel is currently developing its sports facilities, garden and other arrangements.

At the Western Plaza the lowest room tariff for a non-AC deluxe room is Tk 1200 and for an AC room Tk 1850. At the Crown Plaza, the lowest room tariff is Tk 2500, super deluxe room with twin bed Tk 4000, two types of Crown regular suite Tk 5000 and Tk 6000, the honeymoon suite Tk 15000, the royal suite Tk 20000 and the presidential suite Tk 60,000. "The presidential suite is 3000 square feet. It has a gym, recreational centre, five large rooms with individual toilets and other facilities," says Enam Ullah, General Manager of the hotel. "Some tourists who visit Cox's Bazar with their families and relatives or lots of people rent this suite," he pointed out.

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Oceanfront swimming pool with kiddy area. Boat club with 20 speed boats and medium sized luxury cruiser of water fun. Professional Shooting zone for movie industry. Tour operation with 4 luxurious coach service from down town Dhaka to the hotel compound. Tennis court. Watch Tower is the latest achievement in Bangladesh.

"There have been a lot of changes in the tourist scenario in the last five years," Enam mentions. "The present trend is that people are increasingly becoming holiday-oriented. Whenever there is a two day vacation, people from Dhaka tend to make a short visit to Cox's Bazar or other easily accessible tourist spots. We get tourists all year round- though the number drastically falls down during the off-season." Because of the tourism boom, Cox's Bazar is one of the busiest destinations of inter-district bus services, making it easy for tourists of all kinds to go there. You can avail the most luxurious and spacious bus service in the country along this route which is cost effective though a bit time consuming.

"During the eid holidays and some long weekends in favourable season, all the hotels in the town get full booking," he adds. The steady growth of tourists has however become stagnant in the last two years due to the sudden boom of hotels in the last five years. There are still some major hotel projects underway. "Unless initiatives are taken to make tourism more entertaining, Cox's Bazar's tourism will become stagnant. The beach needs to be developed. There should be a walkway and toilets. There is a host of things that can be done here," Enam informed. He noted that foreign tourists avoid Cox's Bazar because of lack of recreational facilities like bars, nightclubs, water sports and a lack of quality communication facilities to visit the nearby tourist spots.

http://www.thedailystar.net/lifestyle/2006/08/01/back.htm

few simple photos of the Foy's Lake Amusement World

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Motel Saikat goes to private sector for profit


Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) has decided to give the Motel Saikat Complex in Chittagong to private entrepreneurs dropping its plan for constructing the motel on its own fund.

The BPC took the decision as the motel has been running without any profit at a rented place at the Chittagong New Railway Station Building for the last two months.

Abul Kashem, General Manager (Works) in Dhaka, said to construct Motel Saikat, a modern shopping mall cum three-star hotel, the BPC has floated a tender in early July.

He said the lessee will give the BPC a yearly premium from their profit.

"We were compelled to seek private investment as we did not get adequate response from the businessmen against selling of the complex space," Kashem said.

The BPC is refunding Tk 19 lakh to 22 businessmen, who bought spaces in the complex, sources added.

The BPC shifted its activities to the Chittagong New Railway Station Building after demolishing the previous complex at Station Road. But it could not attract tourists, local and foreign, due to lack of sufficient facilities.

Motel Saikat now has a sale of Tk 1 lakh to Tk 1.40 lakh a month without any profit, whereas it had a profit of over Tk 3 lakh a month at the old complex.

Earlier, the government used to earn revenue as Value Added Tax (VAT) from its income, they said.

BPC now spends around Tk 70,000 only for rent and bills for utility services a month, excluding salaries of the employees.

To implement the project on its own, BPC advertised in different dailies for space booking in the Saikat Complex with poor response.

The authorities sold 426 forms for over 260 possessions, with only 19 of them responded positively and showed interest.

BPC took a project of Tk 82.55 crore, scheduled to be completed by 2006, to provide world-class services to the tourists and promote tourism in the port city.

Fate of the project became uncertain when the authorities demolished the four-storied motel complex immediately after the foundation stone was laid on April 19 in 2004.

The motel now runs with only 14 rooms without any modern facility. The motel has only two air-conditioned rooms. The motel charges Tk 1000 for each air-conditioned (AC) room and Tk 500 for non-AC room.

Besides, uninterrupted power supply and restaurant facilities discourage local and foreign tourists to come here, said a BPC staff on condition of anonymity.

The proposed eight-storied complex on one acre of land is to house a huge car parking lot, shops and departmental stores and bank and insurance offices on first third floors, tourist information centre, a 300-seat hall room and 200-seat restaurant, including swimming pool and bar, on the fourth floor and residential hotel of three-star standard for the tourists on fifth, sixth and seventh floors.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/08/02/d608023502161.htm

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/hoteltowerinn21.jpg Hotel Tower Inn International

http://www.hoteltowerinn.com/

Hotel Tower Inn International offers 100 luxuriously appointed rooms, including 15 magnificent suites. To cater for your business needs, it offers exclusive floors with butler service. The hotel has introduced Broadband Service. Plug and Play High Speed Broadband Internet available in all rooms and every outlets of the hotel. Enjoy user-friendly connection fully free of cost.

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Hotel Tower Inn presents a wide variety of Conference or meeting venues - from comfortable and practical to luxurious. There are a total of 3 conference suites and a dedicated conference office all conveniently situated on the ground floor level with direct access to the hotel’s car parks. Each suite is well presented, equipped with a full range of facilities and comprehensive back-up equipment. Every conference is tailored to suit your individual needs, after all, it is your event. Our theme is simple, provide excellent all round facilities, fine food, friendly attentive service from a professional and enthusiastic team and success will surely follow - for us and for you.

Fitness Center
Enjoy our full service fitness center featuring a Nautilus multi-station circuit, weight machines, Life-Cycles, Treadmills, Stairmaster, Concept II rowing machine, Arc Trainer, Elliptical and free weights. The Club also offers easy access to outdoor jogging. Personal trainers are available by appointment. Additional features and amenities include men's and women's locker rooms with dry saunas, towels, hairdryers, soaps and shampoo.

Swimming Pools
Our pool with retractable roof and sliding glass walls is one of the best pools in the area. It is a roof top pool. It would provide an extra taste of luxury -with our mind on your body. Our excellent swimming pool are available only for the exclusive use of our guests. In addition to keeping the pool sparkling, this new system is healthier for your skint. Swimming lessons are available by appointment.

Modern shopping complex opened in Chittagong

Keari Elysium, a modern shopping cum apartment complex of latest architectural design, was opened in the city's business centre of Chawk Bazar yesterday afternoon.

Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Abdullah Al Noman inaugurated the complex constructed by Keari Limited, a multipurpose business firm.

The Keari authorities assured the customers that quality products with reasonable price would be the main attraction of the shopping complex.

The nine- storey building of Keari Elysium, built on 23 kathas of land, has all modern facilities. It houses the shopping mall in the first three floors, which are centrally air-conditioned, while it has 60 apartments on the rest six floors.

The shopping complex has a power substation of its own for uninterrupted power supply. Besides, close circuit cameras, fire extinguishers and central sound system were set up to ensure the highest security of the Complex, said the authorities.

With its high technology, the Complex will be able to withstand an earthquake measuring as high as 7 on the Richter scale and having a wave speed of 200 kilometres per hour, they claimed.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/09/24/d50924060475.htm

A Buddhist temple in Bandarban, Chittagong

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http://www.landmarkhotelctg.com/files/top1.gif Landmark Hotel

http://www.landmarkhotelctg.com/index.html

Land Mark hotel & restaurant chittagong is a business-class hotel, ideally located in Centeral Chittagong close the agrabad commercial area, chittagong diplomatic area of kulshi, the hotel is within easy access of several chittagong attraction, and Shaha amanat international airport is just 17 kilometers from the hotel. Here at the landmark hotel & restaurant chittagong, both the business and leisure Traveler to Chittagong will enjoy all the star international hotel can offer, from First –Class surroundings to World-class hospitality in the landmark style.The hotel’s 21 luxuriously appointed rooms, including 3 magnificent suites provide comport and superb facilities, combining to make your stay at landmark hotel & restaurant.

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The restaurant & bar of landmark hotel & restaurant provide a wide selection of Food and Beverage facilities, from to the finest international cuisine in Chittagong at the restaurant 24 hours room services is also available at the hotel.The hotel’s conference hall can accommodate up to 150 guests and is the perfect setting for your Chittagong conference or social event. The hotel also has a fully equipped business center. Landmark’s team of professional meeting planners is always at your services, providing the ideal venue in Dhaka for corporate meetings, seminars, family functions, birthdays and wedding ceremonies.

http://www.pelican-travel.net/images/hotelInfo/BANGLADESH_7708.JPG

Hotel Sufia

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What is the location of Hotel Sufia?

PM to open Tk 188-cr big ZMC project on Aug 29 in Chittagong

Showing thumb to major demands of Chittagonian people including Karnaphuli Bridge-III on river Karnaphuli, the BNP-Jamaat led coalition government has finally implemented the most ambitious project of its tenure - Zia Memorial Complex (ZMC) which has been waiting for formal inauguration. The government has undertaken the project to keep afresh the memory of the glorious War of Liberation to the people particularly the future generation through preserving this historic site.

Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is expected to inaugurate the complex, a project of 188 crore, formally on August 29. All preparations has been set for inaugurating the complex where country’s famous installations will be found under a single fence, officials of Concord Entertainment Limited said.

Replicas of Ahsan Monjil, Lalbagh Kella, Karjon Hall, High Court, central Shaheed Minar, Rail Station, National Martyrs’ Memorial Complex of Savar, Parliament House, Sona Mosque, Buddhist Temple of Paharpur and Scent Nicolas have been built around the complex which is also named as Mini Bangladesh.”

The prime attraction of the complex constructed at city’s Kalurghat Radio Transmission Center area from where the proclamation of the country’s independence was broadcast in 1971, is 71-miter high observation tower which consists of a 192-seat restaurant and the whole country apart from natural beauty of the land can be observed from the tower.

The visitors will get chance of visiting almost all the archaeological installations of the country from Monday next as their replicas have been set up there. A number of rides for the children, including cable car and electric train, also have been set up in the complex, and a 71-metre high watchtower is being constructed at an extra cost of Taka 9 crore.

Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is expected to land in Chittagong on August 29. Apart from inaugurating the ZMC, the PM will inaugurate World Trade Center at Agrabad and a bridge named Toilerdeep on river Shonka. The PM will also inaugurate the digital telephone exchange at Banshkhali. Later, the PM will address a rally at Joldi High School Playground at about 5:05 p.m. Soon after the inauguration of the ZMC Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia will meet the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCC&I) leaders and inaugurate the World trade Center’s (WTC) construction work. Local lawmakers, ministers and personal officers of the PM will also arrive the port city with the PM.

http://www.bangladeshobserveronline.com/new/2006/08/27/district.htm

PM to lay foundation stone of Chittagong World Trade Centre tomorrow

Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia during her visit in the port city on Tuesday will unveil the plaque of commissioning five projects constructed at a cost of Tk 620 crore, sources said.

The scheduled official visit of the Prime Minister on Tuesday will be the fourth of its kind during the tenure of the alliance government. Besides, Begum Zia will also lay foundation stone of the 22-storied World Trade Centre at Agrabad Commercial hub during her visit.

Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry sources said the proposed WTC would be constructed at a cost of Tk 114 cr.

The completed projects scheduled to be opened are ‘Mini Bangladesh-Zia Complex’ at Bahaddarhat in the city at a cost of Tk 64 cr, dry ammonia phosphate factory at Anwara at a cost of Tk 510 cr, Banskhali-Tailardip Bridge in Banskhali at a cost of Tk 44 crore, Banskhali Telephone Exchange Bhaban and Banskhali Municipal Bhaban.

A source related to ‘Mini Bangladesh’ said, Concord Construction Co. of Dhaka constructed the project. In the project area, other than recreational, amusement and catering facilities, there are some makeshifts replica of historical and traditional monuments like – Curzan Hall, Ahsan Manzil, Lalbagh Fort, National Mausoleum, Sangsad Bhaban, Shaheed Minar, Sona Masjid etc.
Foundation stone laying of Karnaphuli EPZ (former Ctg steel mills) and the inauguration of the two berths of Newmooring Terminal (NCT) are not yet included in the scheduled programmes of the Prime Minister till writing of this report.

The work of the Asian Women University here is yet to start despite foundation stone laid by the PM earlier. The ground-breaking work of the 3rd Karnaphuli Bridge and the Madunaghat water treatment plant is yet to start in full-swing.

http://www.newstoday-bd.com/frontpage.asp?newsdate=8/28/2006#687

Formal groundbreaking of World Trade Centre on Aug 29

Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) has fixed August 29 as the date for formal groundbreaking of the prestigious and long-awaited World Trade Centre (WTC) in the port city, reports BSS.

Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is expected to inaugurate the groundbreaking for constructing the country's first ever WTC, said CCCI president Saifuzzaman Chowdhury while talking to BSS here on Saturday.

"We are very much hopeful about this project as the process for its successful implementation with an estimated budget of Taka 150 crore has already been completed," he said. The CCCI signed agreement with Concord Engineering and Construction Firm Ltd to build the WTC.

Chowdhury said CCCI has already completed soil test, topographical survey and other relevant studies leading to finalization of the design as well as structural and area distribution layout of the WTC.

Earlier, he said, the authority obtained membership from the New York based World Trade Center Association and No Objection Certificates from the concerned government departments.

"Implementation of this landmark project is possible due to Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's special directive to this effect," the CCCI president said.

The present government allocated the PWD-owned 1.93 bighas in 1995 and the BR-owned 1.832 bighas of lands in 2003 in favour of CCCI free of cost for construction of the WTC, the CCCI sources said.

Saifuzzaman Chowdhury said the WTC after its implementation would open a new vista in the county's overall economy and give a further boost to the port city's trade and business.

"The required funds for the WTC's construction will be managed from the CCCI's own reserve and by selling its space," he said and thanked the Prime Minister for her initiative with allocation of lands for implementing the project.

Business leaders and entrepreneurs here said the proposed WTC would contribute enormously towards bringing a buoyancy in the country's export-import, alluring Foreign Direct Investment and also promoting regional and international trade and commerce.

"It would also help promote other potential sectors like tourism side by side with generating huge job opportunities," observed CCCI Vice President M A Latif.

As per the plan, the WTC will have an global standard 5 star hotel, shopping mall, commercial office space, food garden, exhibition hall, permanent display centre, international convention centre, seminar and conference hall, short term office space, site seeing facilities, video conference facilities with powerful V-sat station, roof-top helipad and 3 basement car parking spaces for at least 400 vehicles.

http://www.bangladeshobserveronline.com/new/2006/08/28/economic.htm

PM opens World Trade Centre project in Chittagong today

The much-awaited construction works of the multi-million dollar project World Trade Centre (WTC), first of its kind in the country, start today in Agrabad Commercial Area here.

Building the World Trade Center (WTC) in Chittagong, a long-cherished dream of the business community, has been deferred over and over for reasons not known to any quarters.

President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCC&I) Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, however, reiterated his hope to materialize the project within stipulated time.

"The port city hasn’t seen development in true sense mainly due to bureaucratic tangles and centralized governance of the country by the successive governments," he told the reporters.

He stressed the need for reshaping the country’s premier maritime port as the hub of global trade by enhancing its efficiency to the level of the popular seaports in the world. The WTC would attract more foreign investments in future to help expedite country's economy, CCCI President Saifuzzaman Chowdhury said at a press briefing yesterday.

Earlier, the CCCI and Concord Engineers and Construction Limited, a sister concern of Concord Group, signed a deal on April 5 this year for constructing the country's first-ever World Trade Center (WTC). Concord Engineers and Construction Ltd, which won the tender as the lowest bidder, is expected to complete the 20-storied WTC in three years, Saifuzzaman said, adding that the chamber had to pay US$ 2 lakh (around Tk 1.40 crore) to obtain the franchise of the WTC.

The WTC will be constructed at Agrabad in the port city at a cost of Tk 1410 million. The physical work of the 20-storied tower had already been started. Chamber sources said the WTC will have an international-standard convention hall, a five-star hotel, a large display and media centre, international club, food court, Sanua shopping mall, two modern swimming pools, helipad, a 400-vehicle-capacity underground parking lot, health club and banking facilities.

The CCCI President Saifuzzaman Chowdhury and Concord Group Chairman SM Kamal Uddin signed the agreement on behalf of their organizations.

State Minister for Forest and Environment Jafrul Islam Chowdhury, also the former president of CCCI, and Advisor to the Ministry of Commerce Barkat Ullah Bulu were also present at that time.

http://www.bangladeshobserveronline.com/new/2006/08/29/front.htm

This used to be the Chittagong Railway Station
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Chittagong Ethnological Museum
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A busy street in Chittagong
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Foy's Lake changes beyond recognition

If you had gone to the Foy's Lake some years ago, then you need to go there now, as it has changed beyond recognition. What was once just a lake and spillway constructed by Assam-Bengal Railway engineer Foy in 1924 on 319 acres of land - 48.75 acres of it water and 282.96 acres of low hiils - as a reservoir of water for steam trains, has been transformed as a place to relax with the family. The depth of water ranges from 30 feet to 40 feet. The lake can hold 27.30 crore gallons of water. Its water was used by the workshop of Bangladesh Railway and 20,000 people of the area.

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Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, during her visit to Chittagong in 2002, promised to transform the spot into a world class recreation centre. Concord Entertainment Co. Ltd. (CEnCL) took over the spot following a tripartite agreement with Bangladesh Railway and Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation for 50 years and started construction work on the project in March 2004. The Concord Amuse-ment World was opened to visitors on November 12 of the year. CEnCL has tried to preserve nature in Concord Amusement World while adding the facilities on 17 acres of land. Cormorants can stll be seen in the quieter sections of the waterbody.

A medieval castle greets the visitor and once inside, a Giant Ferris Wheel stands out prominently dwarfing the Circus Swing. On the lake, in the Adventure Land there are Bumper Boats and on the other bank Bumper Cars and Family Roller Coaster. A few yards away from the Ferris Wheel are the Dry Slide, Carousel, Children's Play-ground, Family Train. In the Paradise Valley there are Paddle Boats, Floating Water Play, Speed Boats and big boats.
If you want to take photographs you can have dolphins and other creatures in the background in the Sea-Animal Photo Corner. There is a Jungle Animal Photo Corner too.

There is a Family Picnic Spot for picnics. If you love peace and quiet, there is the Island Retreat with a sanctuary nearby. There is an Observation Tower also for you to go up and have a bird's eye view of it all.
The authorities are planning to construct a motel in the future, sources said. You don't need to go hungry as there are Lake View Restaurant and Sunset Peak Restaurant. Two snacks kiosks are aptly located near the Children's Playground.

To enter an adult will have to pay Tk 60 while a child above three feet Tk 30. A child with height below 3 feet can enter free. There are tickets for individual rides, but there are packages too like VIP Ticket and Family Package. The Concord Amusement Park is now full of life with visitors going to the park on all the days of the week and experiences rush during evenings, on Fridays and holidays.

This place is very secure and its packages are selling well, said a source. Ferris Wheel and slides are the most popular rides, a source said. In 2002 Concord Entertain-ment Co. Ltd (CEnCL) built Fantasy Kingdom in Ashulia. Subsequent by the company built theme park within Fantasy Kingdom in 2005.

http://www.bangladeshmonitor.net/tourism_story.php?recordID=181

Mini Bangladesh opens to public tomorrow

The theme park titled "Mini Bangladesh", an assemblage of replicas and structures on historical and cultural heritage of the country, opens to public in the port city tomorrow.

"Mini Bangladesh" with monuments and structures of the country's history and tradition has been set up on 13.5 acres of land on the Shaheed Zia Smriti Complex premises at Kalurghat area in the port city.

The theme park constructed by Concord Entertainment Company will give the visitors an opportunity to see most of the important monuments and structures as replicas and artificially created environments portraying lifestyles of the people, including different tribes and races.

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The replicas of Jatiya Sangsad, left, Kantajir Mandir of Dinajpur, right top, and Ahsan Manjil, bottom, at the theme park popularly known as Mini Bangladesh on the Zia Smiriti Complex premises.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia inaugurated the theme park constructed at a cost of Tk 188 crore in three years on August 29.

The monuments in the park include Jatiya Smriti Saudha and Central Shaheed Minar, historical structures - Jatiya Sangsad, Ahsan Manjil, Mohasthangar, Paharpur Bouddha Bihar, Chhoto Sona Masjid of Rajshahi, Chhoto Kuthi, Boro Kuthi, Lalbagh Kella, Saint Nicolas Church, Kantazir Mandir of Dinajpur, Curzon Hall and the Supreme Court.

All replicas perfectly resemble the original structure or monument they represent.

The rides offered to the visitors include magic Swing, bumper Car, family coaster, bumper boat, pedal boat and the monorail.

Besides, there are setup models of traditional village, tribal village, library, information centre and restaurant.

The traditional and tribal villages will offer a rural taste to visitors, particularly those from the urban areas. They will also create a scope for the new generations to be introduced to the lifestyle and the customs of rural people.

A revolving restaurant on an eye-catching 71-meter tower will help the visitors to enjoy the view of the Chittagong city. It has been set up on a 14-metre steel plate. The restaurant along with the customers will move slowly and take 90 minutes to complete a single round centring the tower.

The park will remain open from 10:00am to 9:00pm everyday. The price of ticket has been fixed at Tk 50 for an adult and Tk 25 for a child with three feet height while the children below that height will be allowed to enter the park free of cost.

A tight security arrangement has been made for the park where 125 staff and employees will man the gates and take care of the rides.

The park also has a huge parking lot with a capacity of 450 vehicles in front of the complex.

The park authorities have started working in a room inside the replica of Ahsan Manjil on the north of the complex. The replica also houses a library enriched with different types of books, including audio-visual system.

A 500-seat Darbar Hall has also been set up in the Lalbagh Fort to be rented out to hold functions.

AKM Moin Aziz, chief executive officer of Concord, said they constructed the park considering the financial condition of the visitors of all classes.

"People, who are not able to visit all over the Bangladesh to know about the historical monuments and structures, will have the opportunity to have a total idea and view of them making a single visit to this park," he added.


"No musical concert would be allowed here which might disturb the residents of the adjoining Chandgaon areas," he added.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/09/06/d609063501116.htm

The revolving restaurtant on the 71 meter tower in Mini Bangladesh,Chittagong

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This 71-metre tower in Mini Bangladesh in Chittagong has a restaurant on the top that rotates once every 90 minutes.

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The new revolving tower and restaurant in Chandgaon, Chittagong. Pretty neat, inner floor revolves once every 90 minutes and the base is lit by color flood lights at night. At the foot of the tower is what seems like a mono-rail track and the entire park consists of miniature replicas of famous landmarks in Bangladesh.

Tmac..thank u for the wonderful pics man!

Tmac..thank u for the wonderful pics man!

I love that tower man. Chittagong is stepping up a notch or two.

I love that tower man. Chittagong is stepping up a notch or two.

Yea,that tower looks Amazing.Although Dhaka would be getting a revolving restaurant soon on the 14th floor of the Under-construction Dhaka Regency,i still hope they build something of this sort here.

Another Buddhist temple in Bandarban

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Inani Beach

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Buddhist Temple in Bandarban

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5 star Hotel Seagull in Cox's Bazar

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Fantastic pictures of good old Chittagong, still so pretty. It brought back some very fond memories and some sad ones too. Would love to see more of them especially some of my old school, St Mary's in Jamalkhan. Anyone out there who attended St Marys in the mid 60's mid 70's? would love to hear from you.

Chittagong Development Authority to establish two satellite towns

The Chittagong Development Authority has undertaken a housing project to set up two ‘satellite’ towns in the city at a cost of Tk 800 crore with a view to reducing the housing problem of the dwellers.

CDA sources said one of the two proposed towns, Ananya, would be established on 350 acres of land on Oxygen-Kuaish Road at a cost of Tk 600 crore.

Tk 300 crore out of the total would be spent to acquire land for building the proposed town which would house 5,000 residential plots.

Another satellite town, Kalpalok, would be set up on 90 acres of land beside the existing Kalpalok Residential Area and it would house 1,000 residential plots.

The CDA estimated that they would need Tk 200 crore to set up the satellite town, Kalpalok, of which Tk 120 crore would be spent for the land acquisition.

The authority would establish schools, colleges, hospitals, community centres, shopping malls, kitchen markets and other necessary institutions at both the proposed towns to ensure all sorts of civic amenities for the dwellers.

Playgrounds and mini-parks would also be set up at the satellite towns for the amusement of the children. Besides, the dwellers of the satellite towns would be provided with strict security.

The CDA chairman, Shah Mohammad Akhteruddin, said they had already received the approval from the ministry to establish the satellite towns and started acquiring the land to implement the project.

‘We should initiate the construction of the satellite towns without any delay after completing land acquisition,’ he said adding that they would be able to hand over the plots to the plot owners by two years.

He said they might not be able to provide the dwellers with all the facilities pledged by them from the very begging. ‘We will establish a number of educational institutions at the towns in phases.’

The chairman hoped that the housing problem in the city would be reduced significantly on completion of the giant project adding that they would select the plot owners through a raffle draw at an open function to ensure transparency.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html

The historic old Chittagong railway station

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Chittagong City Views

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The Chittagong Peninsula - city's premier 4 star hotel.

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Chiitagong Circuit House (Zia Memorial Museum)

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The entrance to the Chittagong Zoo

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Resorts Hotels in Cox's Bazar

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Hotel Sea Palace

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5 star Hotel Sea Gull

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not bad ;)

The Chittagong Peninsula looks good!

Hotel sea palace is actually 5 star as well. its actually two hotels. The second last pic is the pic of the five star one and the last pic is the three star one.

Concord Amusement World Foy's Lake, Chittagong

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5 star Hotel Sea Gull

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I love the swimming pool at the Hotel Sea Gull

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Another fine world class hotel in Cox's Bazar

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A beach side resort in Cox's Bazar

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Cox's Bazar at night

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A beach side restaurant - popular hot spot for tourists and locals

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Nice pics, thanks for sharing.
The Amusement Park seems a little deserted.

are there any international hotel chains in ctg and coxs bazar?

are there any international hotel chains in ctg and coxs bazar?

not sure. Perhaps a local Chittagonian can answer.

Tk 880m Ctg Port Bypass Road being constructed
12/9/2006


CHITTAGONG, Dec 08: Chittagong Port Bypass Connecting Road, being constructed at a cost of Tk 880 million (88 crore), is expected to add an impetus to the trade and commerce involving the prime port of the country by lessening traffic congestions in the port city. The 10.5 kilometres long road runs from the Jetty No 2 of the port to the Cement Crossing area in the city. — Our Correspondent

The Amusement Park seems a little deserted.

I'm sure you never saw it in the late afternoon or evening! Its bustling with people at those times of the day.

Cox's Bazaar
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Road in Chittagong
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Ground breaking work of BGMEA Complex inaugurated



CHITTAGONG, Dec. 29: BGMEA President S M Fazlul Hoque inaugurated the ground breaking work of the BGMEA Complex through the unveiling of a plaque at Zakir Hossain Road in the city on Tuesday.
Speaking as the chief guest on this occasion, the BGMEA President said a long-standing demand of the owners of the garments industries of Chittagong was going to be fulfilled with the construction of BGMEA's own building. He expressed his heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the communications Ministry, Bangladesh Railway and particularly the immediate past Prime Minister in this respect.
The BGMEA chief also recalled the relentless efforts of his predecessors to establish the BGMEA Complex at Chittagong and added that when it was completed, wide-ranging employment opportunities would be created including augmenting the volume of investment in the ready made garments (RMG) industries of Chittagong.
BGMEA First Vice-President Moinuddin Ahmad Mintu who presided over the function termed the BGMEA Complex in Chittagong as a fruit of continued efforts by his predecessors.
The ground breaking ceremony was also addressed by the BGMEA Second VP Lutfor Rahman Matin, Former First VP M A Salam and SM Abu Taiyab and attended by present and former directors of BGMEA, high-ranking officials of the government and private organisations and owners of RMG industries of Chittagong.

Bangladesh Naval Academy

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BN patrol crafts patrolling Chittagong shore.

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Tk 2.85b new housing project in Chittagong

With a view to ensuring planned urbanisation and housing needs of the city-dwellers, the Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) has taken up a new project titled "Ononya Housing Project" at a cost of around Tk 2.85 billion, the CDA sources said.

Situated on 169 acres of land at Chandgaon area, the project would provide accommodation to over 1500 families upon its implementation. Prices of the allotted land would remain within Tk. 0.3 million to 0.4 million per katha enabling the low and middle-income groups of people to meet their housing needs.

The project would be well-equipped with all amenities like that of the previous housing projects of the CDA. With this end in view, a 60 feet wide Oxygen-Kuwaish Link Road is now under construction. A 6.0 kilometre long road would link Oxygen with the Kaptai road providing easy and quick movement of heavy vehicles.

Construction of major portion of the road has already been finished and the remaining work is likely to be completed by the current fiscal.

According to the CDA sources, the project profile of 'Ononya Housing Project' is awaiting approval of the concerned authorities and upon obtaining the approval, the task of acquisition of land would begin.

Affected owners of the land would be properly compensated. Some plots would be allotted in favour of those whose land have been acquired. With the implementation of Ononya Housing Project, needs of the city-dwellers for housing would be met to some extent, the CDA sources added.

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=1/8/2007&section_id=3&newsid=48790&spcl=no

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The Access Control Toll Road linking Chittagong Port with Dhaka-Chittagong highway at Kumira, Sitakunda, opens to traffic on Sunday.

Toll road in Chittagong to open soon

The Chittagong Port Access Road, constructed involving Tk 96 crore, is set to be opened for vehicular movement formally on Tuesday.

Sources at the Roads and Highways Department said they had already opened the road for light and medium sorts of vehicles, adding that all sorts of vehicular movements would start after its formal inauguration.

The project director, Abul Kashem, told New Age that the adviser to the communications ministry was expected to inaugurate the road stretching from the Chittagong Port to Fauzderhat.

He informed that they had imposed Tk 50 each for truck, Tk 30 for bus and minibus, Tk 5 for motorbike and different amounts for different sorts of light vehicles using the road.

He also informed that initially the RHD staff would realise tolls from the road users adding, ‘Process is afoot to float a tender for handing over the task to any private farm as early as possible.’

Firoz Iqbal, an executive engineer of the RHD, said the road would make transportation of goods to and from the main seaport of the country faster significantly, adding that it would also play a vital role in containing nagging traffic congestions in the city.

The RHD sources said the Asian Development Bank had provided 70 per cent fund for constructing the 13-kilometre road when the Bangladesh government had furnished the rest amount.

A private company, Monico Construction, which was selected as the lowest bidder in a tender floated in late 2000, initiated the construction comprising 25 underpasses and 57 culverts on January 2003 and it completed on October, 2006, the RHD sources said.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html

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Foy's Lake on the outskirts of Chittagong

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The pictures of Foy's lake I see in Parjatan books (like the one below) show it surrounded by high hills, which I don't see in these pictures posted by Tmac. To anyone who knows - is that a different part of the lake we see in the tourist books, or is that a different Foy's lake?

http://www.sakaowat.com/ctg/ctg3.jpg

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lol i see chittagongs gone capitalist crazy too like Dhaka. Does chittagong have any large display screens too?

Room inside Hotel Sea Palace in Cox's Bazaar taken during my trip there last year.

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A view of Hotel Sea Palace from the beach

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Praasad Paradise Hotel and Resort in Cox's Bazar

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5 star Hotel Seagull in Cox's Bazar

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Hotel Seagull swimming pool

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Sure. I've just uploaded the photos to my flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ragibhasan (You'd get the higher resolution versions there)

I couldn't take more as it was almost 5.30 pm, and the sun was already gone. So, I could manage to take pictures of only the first few items/monument replicas I visited. Also, I didn't have time to go up in the tower ... but the view should be awesome during daytime.

Here are some:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/166/374713479_f2e5846a05.jpg

This is the entrance to the complex.

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The tower. The revolving restaurant at the top revolves once per hour. people have to pay 150 taka to go there, but this includes a good meal (dinner or lunch), so that's not too bad.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/174/374714206_2a07dacef9.jpg

Replica of Supreme Court, Curzon Hall. Ahsan Manjil

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Kalurghat Transmitter, Chittagong. This is the place from which the Declaration of Independence of Bangladesh was announced by Major Ziaur Rahman, on 27th March, 1971, at the start of Bangladesh Liberation War.

In the foreground, you can see the monorails of the theme park / memorial complex built around it.

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Replica of the Sona Masjid.

Thanks for the pics, Ragib! Those replicas are remarkable. Are you sure that is a replica of the Sona Masjid and not the real thing? If it is a replica, it is incredible how they copied all that detail.

magnificant photos Ragib!! Magnificant!!

even the Ahsan Manjil or the Supreme Court looks so real..

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Ragib were you able to go up the tower and take some panoramas?

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Tmac, nope. I went there at around 5 - 5.15pm. The sun was already setting. I didn't bring my tripod to BD, and so, with the low amount of light, it wouldn't have been possible to get any clear views.

By the time we finished circling the complex, it was already dark (with huge clouds of mosquitos!!). I think the view from the top will be awesome during daytime.

I'm really impressed by the looks of the complex. It opened in September, 2006 or so. Even though I smell the party-affiliated nature of it, I didn't find any "over-doing" of such political hero-worship there. Other than the name, the whole thing looked like a neutral, true representation of BD.

There are also actual size reproduction of villages / village houses from all districts of Bangladesh (ctg, sylhet, Kushtia, Rangpur, etc. etc.), and also replicas of Tribal villages.

I heard that they spent between 100-400 crore takas in the project. Even it is in Zia's name, it is definitely a great point of attraction in Ctg, if not the whole of BD.

I plan to go there during day time and take a lot of pix the next time I visit Ctg ... inshallah this December.


Ragib were you able to go up the tower and take some panoramas?

You are welcome! Talking about the details ... I was actually tempted to use this replica photo in the page for Sona Masjid in Wikipedia ... :D. They reproduced every minute detail.

I haven't taken any pic of the Kantaji Temple replica (due to lack of light), but that had the fine details of Terracotta art ... something exactly the same as the real temple. My father in law is an architect, and he said that it is quite difficult to achieve such fine workmanship and exact small scale details

If you visit Ctg, this one is a must-see attraction.

Thanks for the pics, Ragib! Those replicas are remarkable. Are you sure that is a replica of the Sona Masjid and not the real thing? If it is a replica, it is incredible how they copied all that detail.

I am glad they built this in Chittagong. Chittagong needs some more world class attractions. I hear the Foy's Lake area is much improved as well. If they can develop Patenga Beach area slightly Chittagong will be an awesome place to visit. Under construction World Trade Center, several 4 star hotels and the new International airport are all great for Chittagong.

I am glad they built this in Chittagong. Chittagong needs some more world class attractions. I hear the Foy's Lake area is much improved as well. If they can develop Patenga Beach area slightly Chittagong will be an awesome place to visit. Under construction World Trade Center, several 4 star hotels and the new International airport are all great for Chittagong.

My bus drove by the Foy's lake gate. It seems like the Concord group had the charge of developing the Lake area, and so it has become a lot better than the previous state.

Ctg has a lot of great sights and sounds. Hills, river, and the beach - it is rare to have all three present in the same location.

Chittagong has really transformed a lot. I remember living there for a couple of years when my dad got transferred there in the early 80s and, although I was little, I remember there were only patches of developed areas. Most of it was underdeveloped. Patenga beach and Foy's lake were tourist spots but so much has changed now. I think the city can do really well.

By the way, how the crime situation around the tourist spots in and around CTG?

Praasad Paradise Hotel and Resort in Cox's Bazar

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/hotelcoxsbazar.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/praasadparadise5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/hotelprashad2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/praasadparadise6.jpg

partial view of 5 star Hotel Seagull from the beach

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/seagullhotel40.jpg

Cox's Bazar Radar Station

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/coxsbazarradarstation.jpg

lol i see chittagongs gone capitalist crazy too like Dhaka. Does chittagong have any large display screens too?

Yes, I saw two of them by June 2006 (may be more by now); one in Agrabad C/A and the other one is in famous GEC circle (east facing,near Peninsula).

n.b.: I noticed Football World Cup 2006 matches were displayed live on both of those giant screens gathering big crowds, and traffic jams as well.

You're from Chittagong tareq79?

You're from Chittagong tareq79?

Sorry for being late...
No, I am not from Ctg. But I had to visit Ctg frequently for official purposes. But now I dont have to... now I miss a lot the places where I used be...especially the airport, the naval beach, GEC etc...

do you live in Dhaka Tareq?

The Naval Beach? Only military people and their guests are allowed there. Are you by any chance related to the Bangladesh Navy? My dad is a retired officer from there. I remember living in the Isa Khan Naval Base, lovely days....

Zia complex looks great! The revolving restaurant is just fantastic.

The problem with having political affiliation is that, if AL comes to power it will be left in shamble. Like all other infrastructure it will require a lot of maintenance. Without proper maintenance, it will rapidly loose its charm. Loosing such an expensive infrastructure won't be good for a poor country like Bangladesh, especially for purely political reason.

I think the revolving restaurant in the complex is the only functioning revolving restaurant in the country. There might be other ones in the making, but none of them have commenced yet.

do you live in Dhaka Tareq?

yap, I do. My home is in mid-badda, just beside the Gulshan lake, walking distance from Gulshan 1 circle. And I can count floors of Uday or Silver or Nafi or Navana or Jabbar towers lying right on my bed! And my office is in Banani, Abedin Tower (just opposite to Iqbal centre, and upstairs of Dominous Pizza).
That gives you the idea of my roaming area,and feel free to ask any Question or if you need any update around this area.Thanks.

The Naval Beach? Only military people and their guests are allowed there. Are you by any chance related to the Bangladesh Navy? My dad is a retired officer from there. I remember living in the Isa Khan Naval Base, lovely days....

Was it really restricted then? Now it's not at all. Though I got few friends there in that Navy base but I didnt 've to take their help.Perhaps we are mixing two places! That beachside road or the jetty for the navy?
What I meant by naval beach is that straight long beach-side road near Ctg Shah Amanat Airport. People do call it naval beach.Actually, a pic could describe it all.Sorry I dont 've one right now.
A good crowd gathers there especially on weekends. I used to go there at evenings or if there was a flight delay, which is very common for Bangladeshi domestic airlines.

Ohh, you mean the road connecting Isa Khan Base and the BNA? Yes, it is open for civilians. But the Naval Academy is an even more wonderful place. Especially West Point in the Naval Academy.

A road in Chittagong

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/chittagongstreets13.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Chittagongstreets12.jpg

Proposed or U/C

The Cox Bay Resort,Coxsbazar

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/coxsbaycoxsbazar.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/coxsbay2.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/coxsbay3.jpg

nice one Mirza. Where did you get the pics? Who is building this resort?

nice one Mirza. Where did you get the pics? Who is building this resort?

Tmac,I got the pics from a brochure I collected at the REHAB fair.The resort is being built by the Configure Group.

Mirza, what is REHAB? Since I have not lived in Bangladesh for a while I am not familiar with it.

I'll take a stab at it. Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh?

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong since this is just a guess. :)

Mirza, what is REHAB? Since I have not lived in Bangladesh for a while I am not familiar with it.

Tanzirian, REHAB= Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh

^^ Thanks all for the info!

Chandanpura Mosque, Chittagong - built in 1952

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chandanpuramosque13.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chandanpuramosque10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chandanpuramosque11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chandanpurapuramosque14.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chandanpuramosque12.jpg

Another housing project underway in Chittagong

Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) has decided to build another housing project involving around Tk 2.50 billion, sources said.

One thousand plots are likely to be allotted in this housing project entitled "Ananya" at Chandgaon area in the port city.

Sources said, 180 acres of land have been earmarked for implementing the project. The government has already accorded permission for acquisition of 116 acres of land. The task of obtaining approval for acquisition of the rest, is now under process.

According to the CDA sources, on completion of related formalities, application would be invited from the intending buyers.

Non resident Bangladeshi applicants would be given priority, sources said.
CDA already allotted around 1,500 residential plots in its Kalpaloke 1st and 2nd phase programme last year.

With the implementation of "Ananya" housing project, increasing housing needs of the people of the port city would be resolved gradually, sources claimed.

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=3/1/2007&section_id=3&newsid=54004&spcl=no

This is really great news guys

CCT operation under private management begins today
Jasim Uddin Haroon
3/5/2007

Operation of the Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT) begins under private sector today (Monday) as part of a move to privatise the key installations of the country's premier seaport.
The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) took the decision Thursday at its board meeting with a view to enhancing efficiency and transparency in the operation of the seaport.
The Saif Powertec Limited, a local company, will handle all port activities at the CCT.
The company has been operating sophisticated four rail mounted gantry cranes at the CCT.
Meanwhile, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Mir Nasir Hossain told the FE that it was a demand of the federation that the port operation should be put under private management.
He hoped the move will benefit the country's business community.
"But we will observe the private operation at the port by a private company," FBCCI president added.
Earlier, other port users including Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), feeder vessels operators also hailed the decision of the CPA.
The CCT that handles more than 65 per cent operation of Chittagong Port is equipped with all modern facilities including state-of-the-art gantry cranes, rubber-tyred gantry cranes, straddle carriers and other modern logistics.
Sources at the private company said that it is providing world-class port services at the CCT.
"We will take up a modern yard planning so that the existing space might be optimally used," managing director of Saif Powertec Limited Tarafder Md Ruhul Amin said.
Currently, the CCT can accommodate 6,000 containers at a time and three to four feeder vessels can take berth at the terminal.
Sources at the private operating company claimed that it would be able to keep around 9,000 containers at a time.
They said all sorts of mismanagement in operation will end from today (Monday).
"We will nab and hand over to police if any one involves in taking bribes during delivery or shipment. I have asked the importers to contact our management instantly even if any official or operator asks Tk 1.0 from them," Amin added.
Sources said the private operator has already recruited all required manpower to operate the big terminal.
The company hinted that ships turnaround time and congestion at the port yards will ease under the private operation.
The private company also submitted a detailed proposal to the ministry of shipping Tuesday to manage all port activities under one management at the CCT.
The company had suggested port operation by one private management while signing contract for handling gantry cranes in May, 2006.
The company had suggested that single management is necessary to derive optimal utilisation of the gantry cranes as the CPA's own workers fail to operate the gantry carte in its full capacity and deliberately delay functioning of other back-up services.
In the meantime, the CPA terminated the private operations by another local company -- Global Agro Trade Company (GATCO) -- Saturday.
The CPA sacked the private company for its failure in cargo handling at the Dhaka Inland Container Depot (ICD) and Chittagong Port.
The Gatco, appointed for handling containers in 2004 in Dhaka ICD and later in June at Chittagong port, failed to provide logistics and offer services efficiently.
Container congestion at the port and the Dhaka ICD took a serious turn due to the failure of the company.
Earlier in December in 2006, the CPA issued a showcause notice to the company and also formed a probe committee when cargo handling at the Dhaka ICD remained closed for a few days due to failure of the company.

Source:http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=3/5/2007&section_id=1&newsid=54496&spcl=no

view from 5 star Hotel Seagull

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/hotelseagullview5.jpg

Hotel Seagull swimming pool

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/hotelseagullpool5.jpg

War Cemetery (WW II)

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u160/duinumbari/248073049_4c9660985a.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u160/duinumbari/248073050_58cdfdbd9a.jpg

Foy's Lake

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u160/duinumbari/248073046_2b6bebbbbf.jpg

Bhatiari Golf Club

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u160/duinumbari/188976309_bd619371c6_o.jpg

nice pics EagleEyes.

Here's a picture of the 18th hole of the beautiful Bhatiary Golf & Country Club in Chittagong

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/12/18812839_3707d98f1c_b.jpg

spectacular picture, tmac. it brings back a lot of memories of my childhood.


Bandarban, Chittagong Hill Tracts

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u160/duinumbari/band.jpg

Number of Buildings in Chittagong city


According to the CDA sources, there are over 200 nine-storey

buildings in the city and the number of six-storey buildings is

around 2000.
Apart from that, there are over 50,000 five-storey buildings in

the city.

source:http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=3/10/2007&section_id=3&newsid=54972&spcl=no

based on these numbers,I woud guess that there are atleast 40-50 buildings in Chittagong over 15-20 storey tall.

A tower with a revolving restaurant in Zia Memorial Complex, Chittagong

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagongtower10.jpg

Photos taken from the top of the tower

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagongviews25.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagongviews26.jpg

Busy Chittagong

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagongviews31.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagongviews30.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagongpeninsula3.jpg 4 star The Peninsula Chittagong

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagongpeninsula10.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagongpeninsula2.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/peninsulachittagong.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/Chittagongpeninsula6.jpg

Reception and Lobby

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagongpeninsula11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagongpeninsula12.jpg

Spacious suite Room 840 Sft. with kitchen and spacious living area and two toilets and a kitchenette. All rooms have running hot and cold water, central air-conditioning, teak wook flooring and plenty of natural lighting.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagongpeninsula13.jpg

Only heated roof top swimming pool in the city. Enjoy a dip after your long hard day or just for fun. Grab a light snack or drink while you see the sunset into the distance hills and into the Bay of Bengal. A stunning view.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagongpeninsula14.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagongpeninsula15.jpg

Nice pics of Peninsula - a welcome addition in a city which is quite underdeveloped in relation to its size. I imagine all that will change dramatically in the coming decades, as development spills outward from Dhaka - Chittagong will probably be among the largest cities in world by mid-century.

As far as I know, Peninsula is the best hotel of Chittagong. It's a four star hotel. The room, main lobby and the rooftop swimming pool looks good. However, I am not too sure about the wooden floor. I have never seen a wooden floor hotel room before. May be carpeting would have been better.

ya the Chittagong Peninsula does look pretty impressive. I wish they would build some more 5 stars in Chittagong and Cox's Bazar.

Tanzirian, do you know what this structure is in Chittagong?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagong45.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagong47.jpg

What about this one?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagong48.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagong49.jpg

Premier University

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/premieruniversity5.jpg

street shots

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/Dhaka1/chittagong46.jpg

nice pictures :)

Isn't it the Old High Court?

Tanzirian, do you know what this structure is in Chittagong?

Yes, that is the Chittagong Court House, possibly the most significant historic structure in Chittagong. I think you have posted some pictures of this building previously; I had been planning to post a few myself in this thread. Like most of our historic structures, it is in a state of decay and neglect. This is even more a problem for Chittagong than for Dhaka, because it has far fewer historic buildings to begin with. The three important colonial period structures in Chittagong are the Court House, Railway Station, and Circuit House. Chittagong also has about half a dozen Mughal period mosques, but to the best of my knowledge all of those have been significantly altered over time.

What about this one?

That's a nice building but it doesn't look particularly old. The color scheme is similar to that of the Circuit House (now Zia Museum), but it is not the Circuit House itself. With the flag, it is likely a government building of some sort.

I've been loking over the chittagong forum for a while and I'm amazed at how much the city has changed. All I can say is wow. My father's friend who is from Sandwip sed that 8 years ago the only transportation available on the island was a rickshaw or a noeka. However now there are paved roads and cars on the street as well as quick ferry service. Way to go chittagong, keep it up!!

I've been loking over the chittagong forum for a while and I'm amazed at how much the city has changed. All I can say is wow. My father's friend who is from Sandwip sed that 8 years ago the only transportation available on the island was a rickshaw or a noeka. However now there are paved roads and cars on the street as well as quick ferry service. Way to go chittagong, keep it up!!


sandwip is an island in the bay of bengal off the coast of chittagong/noakhali. i am sure there has been significant development there, especially considering the contribution of expatriate communities. on the contrary, chittagong city hasn't really changed much. its history goes back over a thousand years. the locals would actually tell you they were better off during the 60s.

^^ Chittagong lost an important component of its charm over recent decades, when many of the hills within the city were flattened for use as construction materials.

BTW, in which island will we have the deep sea port? It will provide massive development to Chittagong and rest of Bangladesh. And maybe soon Insha Allah, we will also see some "skyline" like the ones in Dhaka's Karwan Bazar, Gulshan or Motijheel emerging in Chittagong.

Rangamati, Chittagong Hill Tracts

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u160/duinumbari/rangamati.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u160/duinumbari/rangamatilake.jpg

Rangamati looks good.

Concord's water park at Foy's Lake opens next month

A water park of Concord Amusement World at Foy's Lake in Chittagong is going to open next month, says a press release.

The water park will feature motel, resort, honeymoon chalet and restaurant to attract tourists from home and abroad.

Other features of the park include family pool, wave pool, separate change rooms for men and women, lockers and clothe stores.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/04/11/d70411051568.htm


Concord opens Water Park at Foy’s Lake in May

The Concord Amusement World will launch a water park at the Foy’s Lake in the Chittagong city in May. Anup Kumar Sarkar, senior deputy general manager of the Concord Entertainment Company Limited, at a news briefing said that the recreation centre was developed on an area of six acres to attract tourists from home and abroad. ‘We have built this water park as a tourist destination in Chittagong at a cost of Tk 30 crore,’ he added. The water park will have facilities including family pool, kids’ pool, wave pool, dancing zone, slideshow and different sorts of rides in crystal clean water. There will have separate rooms for gents and ladies, lockers for keeping valuables of visitors and merchandise shop at the water park, the concord officials said.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html

CDA Plan Approval Process
Massive changes get under way for planned city

Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) is set to bring in massive changes in the process of approving plans for building construction and planned growth of structures strictly following the zoning system in the port city.

Under the new initiative, CDA will dismantle the Building Construction (BC) Committee or Authorisation Committee to form two such committees with members from other organisations apart from CDA.

Besides, it will form a land use committee or planning committee with a different shape comprising additional number of members.

CDA at its meeting of board of directors on April 4 has approved a draft restructuring both the planning and BC committees.

The board meeting also proposed creation of one additional post of superintendent engineer, separate posts of authorisation officers and increasing number of BC inspectors, sources said.

The proposals will be sent to the ministry of housing and public works soon, they said.

The CDA has a four-member BC Committee headed by its chief engineer to approve the plans of buildings in the port city.

The CDA chairman nominates one executive engineer entrusted with the power of authorisation officer to act as member secretary, one assistant engineer and one assistant town planner as members of the committee.

As per the draft, CDA will have two six-member BC committees headed by two superintendent engineers (SE -1 & SE -2).

There will be two authorisation officers, who might come from CDA or on deputation from any other organisations, to act as member secretaries of the BC committees.

Each committee will have one assistant engineer, an assistant town planner, one representative from Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) and one from Institute of Architects, Bangladesh (IAB) as members.

There will be two 10-member teams under the BC committees at the filed level to inspect the proposed site for construction and monitor construction of structures as per the approved plan.

At present CDA has one post of superintendent engineer and seven official posts of BC inspectors without any official post of authorisation officer.

An executive engineer posted as member secretary of the BC committee exercises the power of authorisation officer, sources said.

As per the proposed structure, the chief engineer will head the land use committee or planning committee instead of the chairman.

Three executive engineers in the planning committee will take care of different aspects of area, investment and town planning.

The committee will also include an assistant town planner, an assistant architect, an authorisation officer and representatives from IEB, IAB and Institute of Planning as members.

The planning committee will be responsible for determining zones and layout for residential, commercial and industrial areas, said the sources at CDA.

It will prepare strategy for planned growth of the city with construction of structures as per the zoning system, they said.

Due to lack of proper monitoring, alternative use of land and construction in deviation of approved plan seriously hampered the planned growth of the city.

Irregularities and corrupt practices in approving plans also attributed to growth of structures defying the zoning system, sources said.

CDA Chairman Shah Mohammad Akhteruddin said, "Formation of new BC committees and planning committee aims at decentralising the power and bringing in transparency in providing approval to plans for construction."

"The proposed committees with additional strength will help CDA show better performance," he said.

Akhteruddin said they have proposed to raise the official posts of BC inspectors to 21 considering the increasing activities of CDA that already had the area under its jurisdiction extended to 445 square miles (1152 square kilometres) from the previous 212 square miles.

"We are introducing floor area ration in the BC rules where any plan will be approved within 30 days," he said.

"Besides, we are making it compulsory for the developers to be the member of Rehab that would have close association with the CDA for planned growth of the city," he added.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/04/11/d704113501132.htm

View of Chittagong City from Sky

http://www.globalgayz.com/BDChittagongCity/images/Chittagong%20-%20001.jpg

Houses in Chittagong City

http://www.globalgayz.com/BDChittagongCity/images/Chittagong%20-%20124.jpg

http://www.globalgayz.com/BDChittagongCity/images/Chittagong%20-%20125.jpg

http://www.globalgayz.com/BDChittagongCity/images/Chittagong%20-%20130.jpg

Chittagong City and Street Scenes

http://www.globalgayz.com/BDChittagongCity/images/Chittagong%20-%20132.jpg

http://www.globalgayz.com/BDChittagongCity/images/Chittagong%20-%20133.jpg

http://www.globalgayz.com/BDChittagongCity/images/Chittagong%20-%20134.jpg

http://www.globalgayz.com/BDChittagongCity/images/Chittagong%20-%20135.jpg

http://www.globalgayz.com/BDChittagongCity/images/Chittagong%20-%20137.jpg

http://www.globalgayz.com/BDChittagongCity/images/Chittagong%20-%20178.jpg

http://www.globalgayz.com/BDChittagongCity/images/Chittagong%20-%20183.jpg

http://www.globalgayz.com/BDChittagongCity/images/Chittagong%20-%20186.jpg

http://www.globalgayz.com/BDChittagongCity/images/Chittagong%20-%20192.jpg

http://www.globalgayz.com/BDChittagongCity/images/Chittagong%20-%20198.jpg

http://www.globalgayz.com/BDChittagongCity/images/Chittagong%20-%20201.jpg

http://bangladesh.shutterchance.com/photos/1519/21900_4ad7.jpg

great photos Zafir but they were all posted in this same thread before. Check earlier pages.

great photos Zafir but they were all posted in this same thread before. Check earlier pages.

ur probably right but when I reviewed the pics they were kind of in a different angle

so Mirza, what's the name of this building? Is it in Agrabad area?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/chittagongbuildings5.jpg

Construction work of Dhaka-Chittagong Highway bypass road going on in full swing

The construction work of the bypass road connecting Dhaka-Chittagong Highway with Bayazid Bostami Road through fair-looking arch typed over bridge involving Tk 400 million is in progress in full swing, Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) sources said.

Construction work of 6.0 kilometre long and 120 feet broad bypass road began in the first part of the year 2005.

It started from the southern side of the Fauzdarhat Cadet College on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway and will be linked with the General Steel Point of Bayazid Bostami road.

According to CDA sources, with the construction of the road, excess pressure of vehicles of different category would be remarkably reduced on the city roads.

It would create an ample scope for the vehicles coming from North Chittagong including Khagrachhari and Rangamati as well as those from South Chittagong including Cox's Bazar and Bandarban, to move conveniently towards different regions of the country without entering into the city.

On the other hand, an extensive area from Bayazid Bostami to Fauzdarhat would be developed, to a great extent.

Side by side, the CDA has contemplated to build a fresh housing project beside the bypass road at Salimpur area and as per the Master Plan of CDA it would become a posh area gradually.

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=4/26/2007&section_id=3&newsid=59367&spcl=no

Chittagong badly needs development. It hasn't gotten it's fair share of development for many reasons. Nice to see that some important development work is in progress.

all photos taken by mirzazeehan last week. Mirza, I hope you don't mind me posting these. What are you waiting for? Start posting the rest man..lol.

Random Chittagong buildings in Agrabad area

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/unknownbuildingchittagong5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/unknownbuildingchittagong6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/unknownbuildingchittagong7.jpg

Chittagong Peninsula Hotel

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/chittagongpeninsula8.jpg

That first building looks kewl.

A documentary about Chittagong City:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8647353060686406741&hl=en

Thanks for the link Zayiaf.

Here are the pics of Chittagong City that I took last week.From what I have seen,the city is now fit to be 'Dhaka's younger brother' ; )

Chittagong


Hotel Peninsula
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/building2chittagong.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/hotelpeninsula2chittagong.jpg

Hotel Agrabad
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/hotelagrabadchittagong.jpg

70 Meter high Revolving Restaurant

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/revolvingreschittagong.jpg

HSBC Building
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/hsbcchittagong.jpg

Other

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/unknownbuildingchittagong.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/agrabadarea2chittagong.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/ameencenterchittagong.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/agrabadareachittagong.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/agrabadarea3chittagong.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/hotelsilmoonchittagong.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/hotelpeninsulachittagong.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/hotelpen3chittagong.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/bank1chittagong.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/buildinginagrabadchittagong.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/unknown2chittagong.jpg

Under-construction

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/undercons3chittagong.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/undercons5chittagong.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/undercons4chittagong.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/undercons1chittagong-1.jpg

Advertisement Screen

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/advertisementscreen2chittagong.jpg

Fuel station

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/petrolstationchittagong.jpg

Chittagong Views

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/chittagongview2-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/chittagongview23.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/chittagongstreets12.jpg

great photos of Chittagong Mirza. I had no idea it had so many modern buildings.

great photos of Chittagong Mirza. I had no idea it had so many modern buildings.

Told ya it was fit to be the second city of bd.Somehow the aerial shots of chittagong in this thread donot focus on the good areas of the city..they are only of the usual residential areas.There are many more modern buildings in Chittagong that I couldn't take shots of,and lots of construction is still going on.The city is really big,and very green,perhaps,a little more priority from the govt. can change the whole look of it,and turn it into one More Comparable to Dhaka.I am just glad to see that the architecture and the trend in the city is fine.You know,there are cities in the world that have lotsa high rises,but they all look like concrete blocks....good thing Chittagongs followed Dhaka's style of making every new commercial building Glass fronted,lol.

Stellar work Mirza. The buildings are all new to me but given the pace of development in Dhaka their presence really does not surprise me. However I was genuinely impressed by how Cox's Bazar seems to have changed virtually overnight.

Hopefully some time in the next few years we can attract people from places like Chittagong, Sylhet, or other cities to join this site. That would be of great help keeping on top of developments outside Dhaka, which will undoubtedly be gathering pace as the years go by.

Thanks Tanzirian.It would surely be great to have forumers from places like Sylhet and Khulna..cause as at now,we are missing almost all thats going on in those cities.

I think Chittagong will evolve into modern city or follow Dhaka's suit gradually. I read in the newspaper that half a dozen foreign airlines will launch services into Chittagong soon. Chittagong port will be upgraded into international standard by 2008. These will encourage more business and economical activities which will drive significant developments in the coming days and months.

Lets hope growth will be more organized than Dhaka.

Lets hope growth will be more organized than Dhaka.
I believe it will. Ports keep cities alive and growing. That is why khulna and chittagong are continuosly developing.

I read in the newspaper that half a dozen foreign airlines will launch services into Chittagong soon.

I really like the sound of that.

Amazing pics Mirza!! Thank you so much for taking the time to go around and taking pictures. Chittagong has changed a lot and it deserves to do well. There is a lot of potential there so I hope the city does well.

It's funny, I'm not that old (at least I don't think I am..lol) yet my memories of CTG from when I lived there for a couple of years when my dad got transferred are so different from what CTG is today. I think it was a sleepy town back then and you had to use the ferry to cross the rivers (I think at 2 points) to get there from Dhaka. On the way there were some awesome (things are always awesome when they're from your childhood) restaurants that had really delicious spicy food. And they used to sell fish at the ferry stations that were longer than I was tall. They'd swing the fish at your car as you passed by. :D

I haven't checked this thread in a while but wow. I didn't see so many modern buildings even when i went there last year. The pace of development is crazy. Definitely the right direction as it should be for the countries most important port.

Amazing pics Mirza!! Thank you so much for taking the time to go around and taking pictures. Chittagong has changed a lot and it deserves to do well. There is a lot of potential there so I hope the city does well.

It's funny, I'm not that old (at least I don't think I am..lol) yet my memories of CTG from when I lived there for a couple of years when my dad got transferred are so different from what CTG is today. I think it was a sleepy town back then and you had to use the ferry to cross the rivers (I think at 2 points) to get there from Dhaka. On the way there were some awesome (things are always awesome when they're from your childhood) restaurants that had really delicious spicy food. And they used to sell fish at the ferry stations that were longer than I was tall. They'd swing the fish at your car as you passed by. :D

You are most welcome gohorns.Chittagong sure has changed alot..and seems like it will become another Dhaka in the future

The owners of Hotel Agrabad need to think about investing in a more modern building. This was for some time the best hotel in town, but will quickly be outdated as newer competitors show up.

I think Chittagong already is a good competitor for Dhaka. Not only that but looking from the pics, Chittagong kind of looks "cleaner" than Dhaka. The roads, the streets, and the vehicles look a lot less polluted than average Dhaka city streets. By the way, How many under constructions are there in Chittagong?

^^ It's easier for a city to be cleaner when it is smaller. My parents used to say that when they were young Dhaka was known for being a neat and clean city. People visiting from Calcutta and elsewhere would comment on how clean it was.

Hey man.. AWESOME pics in this thread!

I was last in Chittagong I think in 2001.. It certainly didn't look like this :)

Mirza, u travel to BD or live there?

The owners of Hotel Agrabad need to think about investing in a more modern building. This was for some time the best hotel in town, but will quickly be outdated as newer competitors show up.

I have read bad comments from people who stayed in Hotel Agrabad. It is quite old and provides poor service. Occupation rate is quite low as well, I hear. So, this hotel needs a complete face lift, if they want to stay competitive.

I have read bad comments from people who stayed in Hotel Agrabad. It is quite old and provides poor service. Occupation rate is quite low as well, I hear. So, this hotel needs a complete face lift, if they want to stay competitive.

Seeing how the city is booming, they are bound to attract investment sooner or later.

The tower at Heritage Park in Chittagong

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/chittagongtower5.jpg

Views from the tower

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/chittagongtower6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/chittagongtower7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/chittagongtower8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/chittagongtower9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/chittagongtower10.jpg

rides and coasters at the park photo credit: Tasnim R.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/concordheritagepark28.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/concordheritagepark27.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/concordheritagepark29.jpg

Zia Sriti Complex at Chittagong has replicas of all the important landmarks in Bangladesh.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/concordheritagepark23.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/concordheritagepark24.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/concordheritagepark25.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/concordheritagepark26.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/concordheritagepark22.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Dhaka/concordheritagepark21.jpg

The reproductions in this park are truly exceptional!

BTW that last pic is a reproduction of the church of St. Nicholas Tolentino in Nagori, the oldest church in BD. I had a "quiz" about it earlier.