New international standard lighthouse trialled in Kutubdia, Cox’s Bazar

The historic new lighthouse of Qutubdia, famous for its lighthouse, has been put into operation on a trial basis. The then British government started construction of the lighthouse in 1822 in the village of Dakshin Dhurung Ali Fakir Dale in Qutubdia through the Chance and Birmingham contracting company to facilitate shipping at sea. The construction of the 120-foot-high lighthouse with 8 floors and 8 rooms was completed in 1846. The rotating light of the lighthouse could be seen from about 19 miles away. According to information, the cost of the lighthouse was only 4,428 taka at that time. This was the famous lighthouse of Qutubdia.After a hundred years, it was damaged in 1954 due to the strong current of the Shankh River. In 1965, another lighthouse was built on a steel structure next to it. Because the island of Qutubdia was a good spot to cross the deep sea from Cox’s Bazar to Chittagong Port. Unfortunately, the new lighthouse was also severely damaged in the devastating cyclone of 1991. Along with this, the standing memory of the historic lighthouse was also destroyed and disappeared into the sea.Those concerned said that for a long time, the Indian government used to collect commercial tolls from foreign ships at sea with nominal facilities. As a result of the construction of an international-standard lighthouse in Kutubdia, India will now lose a huge amount of revenue. Dueto the importance and necessity, the lighthouse and naval radio station, a project of the previous Awami League government, were finally completed at a cost of 7 billion taka, increasing from 60 crores to 7 billion taka. With the six rays of rotating light, it will once again show the way to thousands of sailors in the sea. It will attract tourists from far and wide. The lighthouse authorities launched it on a trial basis last Saturday. Qutubdia Lighthouse In-charge Md. Rafiqul Islam said that the new lighthouse’s activities have been started since last Saturday. There is a possibility of a formal inauguration of this international standard lighthouse on April 30. He believes that Bangladesh will receive revenue from foreign and domestic ships at sea from now on, as it has complete operational facilities including a naval radio station.