Continuous rain and overcast skies marked Saturday in Cox’s Bazar as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived on a one-day visit. Extensive security measures were put in place across the district ahead of his arrival, turning key roads, intersections and scheduled venues into high-security zones.
The Prime Minister’s aircraft landed at Cox’s Bazar Airport at 9:48 am on Saturday (June 13). He left the airport through the VIP gate around 10 am. Despite heavy rainfall, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, senior administration officials and BNP leaders and activists gathered at the airport to welcome him. Many waited with umbrellas, while others stood in the rain.
Security was strengthened across the city from early morning. Additional law enforcement personnel were deployed along Airport Road, Holiday Mor, Kalatoli, Sugandha Point, the Bus Terminal and Link Road. Checkpoints were set up at several locations, and vehicle movement was restricted in some areas except for security forces, government guests and authorized vehicles.
The security arrangements and adverse weather caused inconvenience for residents and travelers. Passengers traveling to and from Cox’s Bazar Airport faced transportation difficulties, while traffic congestion and delays were reported in several parts of the city.
According to the official schedule, the Prime Minister is set to inaugurate the re-excavation of the Patli Canal in PMkhali Union of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila and attend a roadside public meeting. Local officials believe the project will help address long-standing waterlogging and drainage problems.
He will also visit Dulahazara Safari Park and formally launch a nationwide tree plantation campaign by planting saplings in the Malumghat Reserve Forest. The initiative is part of the government’s environmental conservation and climate resilience efforts.
Later, the Prime Minister will travel to Pekua Upazila to visit the grave of Wasim Akram, described as the first martyr from Chattogram during the July Uprising, and meet members of his family.
During the visit, he is also expected to lay the foundation stones for the newly formed Pekua Municipality and the proposed Matamuhuri Upazila, both long-standing demands of local residents.
In the afternoon, the Prime Minister is scheduled to address a political rally at the Chakaria Municipal Bus Terminal Ground. Organizers expect a large turnout of leaders, activists and supporters from Chakaria and nearby upazilas.
After completing the day’s official engagements, he is expected to visit parts of Marine Drive Road and the Cox’s Bazar sea beach. In the evening, he will attend a meeting at a hotel in Cox’s Bazar city, where he is scheduled to exchange views with elected representatives, business leaders, professionals, academics, journalists and members of civil society.
The Prime Minister is expected to return to Dhaka late at night following a day-long visit.
Despite continuous rainfall, public interest in the visit remains high, with administration officials and party activists actively engaged in implementing the scheduled programs.
