Bela urges authorities to stop construction at Ctg's Biplob Udyan
The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela) has called on the Chattogram City Corporation and other government bodies to halt plans for construction at Biplob Udyan, urging the cancellation of a recently signed beautification agreement for the park.
Bela's legal coordinator, S Hasanul Banna, sent letters by post on Thursday to 10 officials, including the mayor of Chattogram, the deputy commissioner, and secretaries of relevant ministries, regarding this issue.
Along with urging the cancellation of the recent agreement, the letters stated that all existing structures in the park must be removed and public access ensured.
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The park's designated land should not be reclassified, leased, rented, or used for any purpose other than a public park, Bela further stated.
Bela also demanded proper preservation and maintenance of the site.
"I have heard about a letter, but have not yet received it," Chattogram City Corporation Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Muhammad Touhidul Islam told The Business Standard.
Notably, city Mayor Shahadat Hossain approved a 25-year beautification agreement for the park with Noor Hafiz Properties Limited in early June.
The deal permits the company to expand the park's existing one-storey structure to four storeys, subject to Chattogram Development Authority approval, for potential commercial use, in exchange for Tk18 lakh in revenue to the city corporation.
Biplob Udyan, a one-acre park established in 1979 at the city's busy Number 2 Gate area, was once filled with greenery.
Under previous mayors, AJM Nasir Uddin and M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, business activities were also allowed in the park under similar arrangements, gradually replacing green space with concrete.
At present, the park houses a one-storey building with 21 food stalls and two toilets.
Meanwhile, a 15-day Victory Fair is underway at the park, marking the first anniversary of the July mass uprising.
Organised under the banner of Chhatra Samaj Chattogram Metropolitan, it is led by city Jubo Dal leader Alif Uddin.
