Railways, Road Transport, and Bridges and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam clarified today that the government has not approved the construction of a hospital in Chattogram’s CRB area, amidst renewed discussions and protests surrounding the controversial project. During his visit to the proposed site, the minister assured reporters that the current administration has no plans to establish a hospital in the CRB area that could jeopardize the environment or the safety of Chattogram residents. He emphasized that there has been minimal progress made towards the implementation of the project thus far.
Recent reports reignited the debate on the long-contested hospital project, leading to demonstrations by rights activists and environmentalists in the region. In response to the protests, Minister Alam stated that there are no immediate intentions to proceed with the hospital project under a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement. He mentioned that the initial proposal aimed at a 250-bed hospital in the first phase, which later expanded to a 500-bed facility through public-private collaboration.
Highlighting the challenges faced by the project, the minister explained that the previous government’s efforts to move forward with the hospital encountered strong opposition from local residents. The community views CRB as vital to the city’s well-being, with concerns raised about its significance as an essential resource. Consequently, the project was stalled due to sustained resistance from the public.
Minister Alam, who was scheduled to inspect the site at 4:00 pm, arrived later at 6:30 pm and surveyed the proposed location alongside senior railway officials. During the visit, a group of young individuals protested against the project under the Bay of Bengal People’s Network banner. As per the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) of the Chittagong Development Authority, CRB is categorized as a “cultural heritage” area where commercial constructions and tall buildings are prohibited. Joining the minister during the visit were Bangladesh Railway Director General Afzal Hossain, Eastern Zone General Manager Md Sabuktagin, and Railways Ministry Secretary Fahimul Islam.