Youth from Satkhira formed a human chain in the capital on Saturday, pressing a 16-point demand aimed at ensuring sustainable development, employment generation, and environmental protection in their home district.
The programme, held in the city's Mohammadpur under the banner of Satkhira Unnayan Samunnoy Forum, called for integrating Satkhira into the country’s broader economic growth strategy.
Participants said that despite its rich natural resources, Satkhira remains vulnerable to climate change and has long been neglected. With proper planning and effective initiatives, they noted, the district could emerge as a key driver of the national economy.
During the event, the organisers raised a 16-point development agenda. Key demands include establishing a Sundarbans Development Authority to promote tourism and environmental conservation, setting up food processing industries to ensure fair prices for farmers, and creating a fish processing zone for preservation and export of shrimp and other fisheries, says a press release .
They also called for upgrading the Satkhira–Shyamnagar highway, declaring Patkelghata as a sub-district, modernising Bhomra Land Port to international standards, and establishing railway connectivity from Navaron to Bhomra and Munshiganj.
Other demands include relocating the bus terminal outside the town to ease traffic congestion, setting up an international standard science and technology university in Debhata, and formulating a sustainable master plan to tackle flooding and storm surges.
The agenda further emphasises construction of durable embankments, ensuring safe drinking water through rainwater harvesting in coastal areas, improving healthcare services, and upgrading the medical college hospital into a fully functional 500-bed facility with specialist doctors and a cancer research centre.
In addition, the youth demanded development of ecotourism zones in Neeldumur and Munshiganj, construction of border roads to curb smuggling and drug trafficking, and establishment of modern sports complexes and gymnasiums.
Speakers at the event, including Forum President Iqbal Masud, Chief Adviser Afsar Ali, General Secretary Bokuluzzaman and Joint Secretary S M Mehedi Hasan, said implementation of the 16-point agenda would ensure overall development of Satkhira and contribute positively to the national economy, particularly in the health and tourism sectors.