Cox’s Bazar, Nov 01 (V7N)- St Martin’s Island, the country’s only coral island, reopened to tourists on Sunday after remaining closed for 10 months. However, passenger ship services from Cox’s Bazar to the island have yet to resume, leaving visitors unable to travel by the usual sea route.
Officials and tourism operators hope to begin ship operations between November 5 and 6, once the necessary approvals and arrangements are completed.
Under the government’s decision, a maximum of 3,500 tourists will be allowed to visit the island each day until March 15, 2027. Hotels, motels, resorts and restaurants have already made preparations to welcome visitors for the new tourist season.
Despite the reopening, several administrative procedures related to ship operations remain incomplete. According to সংশ্লিষ্ট sources, three vessels have received clearance from the Department of Environment, but their voyage licences from the Department of Shipping, route permits from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and sailing schedules have yet to be finalised.
The Tourism Board’s software for selling tourist tickets has also not yet been launched.
As a result, ship services on the Cox’s Bazar–St Martin’s route remain uncertain, despite the official start of the tourist season.
Those concerned expect the outstanding procedures to be completed in the coming days, allowing vessels to begin operating between November 5 and 6.
END/SMA/AJ
