July uprising monument to replace Mujib sculpture at Bijoy Sarani
Dhaka North has allocated Tk15 crore for building monuments and sculptures at Bijoy Sarani
Dhaka North City Corporation has announced plans to construct new monuments in honour of the martyrs of the July Uprising in the capital's Bijoy Sarani area.
The monuments will be constructed at the sites of the sculptures vandalised in the area after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in the face of mass protests last year. Those include the 'Mrityunjoy' sculpture of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which was demolished by the protesters.
Dhaka North's initiative includes a sculpture, a Gonominar (mass monument), and public space stretching from the Bijoy Sarani intersection to the Biman Chattar near Zia Udyan.
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Dhaka North has already completed the design and planning for the Gonominar and public space to be built in the median strip. While a general plan for the new sculpture at the former site of 'Mrityunjoy' exists, the design work is still in progress.
The estimated cost of the entire initiative is Tk15 crore— Tk10 crore for the Gonominar and public plaza, and Tk5 crore for the sculpture at the Bijoy Sarani intersection, according to Dhaka North.
On Friday, the city corporation demolished the remaining seven walls of the damaged 'Mrityunjoy' installation. Stainless steel railings have also been installed along both sides of the central strip from Bijoy Sarani to Biman Chattar.
Dhaka North's Superintending Engineer (Civil Circle) Faruque Hassan Md Al Masud told The Business Standard, "A Gonominar will be constructed on the green space between Bijoy Sarani and Bir Uttam Major General Azizur Rahman Road to commemorate the mass resistance and sacrifices of the July Uprising. It will depict key scenes and milestones of the movement, including details about those killed and injured. An open plaza will also be created."
"The previous seven-walled sculpture featuring Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was damaged and has now been removed. In its place, we plan to erect a new sculpture honouring the martyrs of the July Uprising, as well as symbols representing the country's independence and language movements," he added.
Sources at Dhaka North said the city corporation board has approved the decision to build the monument and public space. The engineering department is preparing designs, and the structures will be constructed through an open tendering process.
Dhaka North Administrator Mohammad Azaz said, "That part of Bijoy Sarani has long been neglected. We are now clearing the vandalised site and have decided in the board meeting to build a new sculpture there. It will feature elements of the Language Movement, Liberation War, and the July Uprising.
"The whole area will also include public space for citizens to gather, learn, and reflect. The design is not final yet– once it is, full details will be shared."
