Parki Beach: No Streetlights, No Tourist Police, Security Failures Drive Tourists Away

Rafiqul Islam Selim and Md. Jabedul Islam

Parki sea beach in Anwara upazila of Chattogram is known as “Mini Cox’s Bazar”. Tourists from far places once rushed there for its natural beauty and the pull of the waves. On government holidays, crowds filled the whole beach. But poor roads, long traffic jams, no road lights and weak security are costing this promising spot more tourists every day.

Extra crowds may come soon for the autumn Durga Puja and idol immersion. Many questions remain about how to ensure comfort and safety for tourists.

Parki beach sits at the mouth of the Karnaphuli river. Locals also call it “Parkir Char”. The beach runs about 15 kilometres along the coast. Its beauty draws tourists, but weak infrastructure holds back its tourism potential.

Traffic jams cause suffering, long waits on narrow roads

Our visit to the beach area and talks with tourists and local traders show that narrow roads and one key bridge are the main barriers. The bridge that leads to the beach at Parki Bazar is not wide. When cars cross on one side, traffic on the other side gets blocked. Jams last for hours, especially on holidays, and tourists suffer.

Traders say many tourists now hesitate to come to Parki beach because of the jams and poor roads. Some tourists now turn to Fultoli sea beach instead.

Safety worries grow after dark

The beach has no road lights and no power connection. Many areas sink into darkness after sunset. This raises worries about the movement and safety of tourists.

Traders say tourist police have not been at the beach for about one and a half months. They also say theft and harassment of tourists have grown because of this.

Concerned people say about 110 shops once grew up around the beach. Authorities ran drives at different times and removed many of them. Traders claim that only four or five of the 52 shops that remain have a power connection.

Demand to use the tourism potential

Mr. Solaiman, who came from Chattogram city, and Mr. Rahmatullah, who came from Hathazari with his family, say Parki sea beach has great potential to grow tourism. They say the potential can only be used with better roads, a stronger bridge, an end to traffic jams, a fixed parking place, enough road lights and round the clock security. Local traders and others share this view.

Locals hope Parki beach can become a centre of attraction again if leaders take real steps to give tourists a safe and comfortable place.

Demand of the Parki beach traders’ association

Mr. Md. Kashem of the Parki Sea Beach Traders’ Association says weak roads and weak security are the main reasons for the damage to tourism at Parki beach. He says the beach has no road lights. The beach has a few roads, but people depend on just one road for real access. This causes traffic jams.

He says people buy parking tickets with money, but the beach has no fixed and orderly parking place. So drivers must park cars on the beach and on the road. This creates jams. Because of these problems, tourists are turning away from Parki.

Mr. Kashem also says Mr. Sarwar Jamal Nizam, the local Member of Parliament, and the Upazila Nirbahi Officer should act to find these problems and solve them fast. If they do not, the tourism industry of Parki will suffer.

For the coming Durga Puja idol immersion, he suggests that officials use road number 3 and road number 5 for vehicles to reduce jams. The beach has five entry roads in all. He says people coming for immersion will move more easily if officials plan and use the other roads well.

Police prepare for Durga Puja security

Police say they have made security plans for the coming Durga Puja and idol immersion.

Mr. Nure Alam Siddiqui, in charge of the Bandar Police Outpost under Karnaphuli Police Station, says organisers will hold idol immersion at three places in the port area. He says police have talked with the puja celebration committee about this. Police and law enforcement agencies will stay alert to keep the festival peaceful. If needed, a police team will take charge of security at Parki sea beach. He says police will also give security from the puja pandals to the immersion places.

He also says police officers often have to go to Parki beach at their own cost to protect tourists. He says the Anwara upazila administration reportedly collects money for parking. Even so, no fixed place exists, so some motorcycle riders harass tourists by taking fare money. He says police have received such complaints. He adds that a gang snatches belongings and flees on motorcycles. He says he is raising the matter at the monthly law and order meeting of Anwara upazila.

Mr. Md. Junayet Chowdhury, Officer in Charge (OC) of Anwara Police Station, says police have made plans for Durga Puja at 301 places under the station. Of these, 112 are permanent temples and 188 are places for Ghat Puja. Six patrol teams will guard the puja. Police will also add extra patrols and deploy plainclothes officers in key areas and areas with many puja pandals.

He also says police will stay on the highest alert to ensure a peaceful Durga Puja, as directed by the DIG of Chattogram Range and the Superintendent of Police.