ABSTRACT This study represents a pioneering endeavour in consolidating previous measurements of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) within the Chattogram division, Bangladesh. Employing a meticulous approach, data was overlaid onto a comprehensive grid map covering the entire Chattogram region, comprising 523 grids, each of 8.05 km x 8.05 km. The analysis revealed numerous areas where NORMs concentrations had not been previously measured. To bridge this gap, soil samples were collected from 56 previously unmeasured locations across Cumilla and Chandpur districts and analysed using high purity Germanium (HPGe) detector technology. Results indicated average activity concentrations of Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40 at 27.30 ± 5.41, 46.09 ± 7.88, and 362.50 ± 48.10 Bq.kg−1 respectively, with no detectable presence of Cs-137 or other anthropogenic radionuclides, affirming the region’s absence of fallout or accidental releases. Additionally, measured values for radiation hazard indices are well within acceptable limits set by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). Spatial distribution maps of radionuclide concentrations and absorbed dose rates were generated not only for the immediate study area but also for the entire Chattogram division, integrating previously collected data for the first time. These distribution maps, alongside the comprehensive findings of this study, establish a pivotal dataset for future research and regulatory efforts, providing invaluable insights into the region’s radiological landscape.