Bangladesh plans to transform Bandarban in the Chittagong Hill Tracts into a clean, eco-friendly, and world-class tourism destination, Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Sa Ching Prue said Tuesday.

The minister made the remarks during an unannounced inspection of Bandarban Municipality, where he reviewed civic facilities, road conditions, waste management and the overall cleanliness of the town.

During the inspection, Sa Ching Prue directed officials to repair potholes and damaged sections of roads around Fire Service and Hospital Road without delay. He also ordered the immediate removal of accumulated garbage and weeds near Kalaghata intersection in Ward No. 3.

According to Bangladesh Pratidin, the minister also instructed the Bandarban deputy commissioner and other officials to remove removable illegal structures built on government khas land and roads, and clear encroachments to improve the town's appearance and reduce traffic congestion.

The minister later visited the Rowangchhari Bus Terminal and expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of safe drinking water, unhygienic conditions, inadequate passenger facilities and poor management.

He called for immediate measures to improve services and reduce difficulties faced by passengers.

Sa Ching Prue also directed relevant authorities to construct two separate modern public toilets for tourists and residents, one near the main post office at Thanchi Bus Stand and another beside Ruma Bus Terminal.

Officials from the district administration, Local Government Division, Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board and other government agencies, along with local representatives, attended the inspection.

The minister said proper government planning and cooperation from local communities could help turn Bandarban into a clean, well-organised and model tourism city.

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