Ctg city leases Biplob Udyan for commercial structure; Civil society, CDA object

The Chattogram City Corporation has once again leased out Biplob Udyan near the city's  Number 2 Gate area under the banner of "development and maintenance," this time to allow new commercial structures.

A 25-year agreement has been signed with a private company, permitting it to extend the existing one-story building up to four stories. The contract also provides scope for commercial activities.

However, city planners and civil society representatives are opposing the decision to pour more concrete into the green park. The Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) has also stated that there is no scope for constructing new structures in the green space.

According to Chattogram City Corporation, the agreement was signed in early June with private firm Nur Hafiz Properties. Under the deal, the existing single-story structure at Biplob Udyan may be extended into a four-story building. The second floor can house a modern, eco-friendly urban lounge for recreation; the third floor may include a coffee shop with indoor games; another part will have open-air seating with a coffee shop; and the fourth floor may feature an exhibition centre showcasing the history of Chattogram and the Liberation War.

The 21 existing shops and 2 toilets inside the park will be handed over to the new company, meaning shop owners will need fresh contracts with it. In return for investment, the firm will be allowed to install digital screens, ATMs, kiosks, and commercial advertisements inside the park, as well as construct a massive structure resembling the national flag (215 feet long, 54 feet wide). Walkways, an air-conditioned monitoring office, digital screens, billboards, and mega-signs are also part of the plan.

Chattogram City Corporation had earlier entered into two similar contracts during the terms of former mayors.

Established in 1979 on one acre of land, Biplob Udyan has long been a key green space in one of Chattogram's busiest areas. But in the past seven years, three successive mayors have signed contracts allowing commercial expansion in the name of beautification and development—leading to concrete encroachment into the park.

In July 2024, the court issued an injunction against building structures in the park.

After the fall of the Awami League government, Dr Shahadat Hossain became mayor through a court order. On 7 November 2024, he declared during a site visit that no new structures would be built there and later ordered the demolition of under-construction structures. 

In a general meeting on November 11, the City Corporation decided to cancel the old contracts, prioritising greenery over commerce. That decision was formally implemented on February 12 this year. Yet, only six months later, a new deal was signed.

Confirming the latest agreement, Chattogram City Corporation's Chief Revenue Officer SM Sarwar Kamal said the corporation expects far higher revenues – "Earlier, we received only Tk1 lakh from these shops. Now, it will be Tk18–20 lakh."

Mayor Shahadat, however, claimed in a 23 June budget speech, "No new shops will be built in Biplob Udyan."

Anger from civil society, CDA stands firm

At a City Corporation public hearing on 3 October last year, participants strongly opposed new structures in the park, and the mayor himself promised no further construction. Urban planners and citizens' groups have now criticised the reversal. Locals have also written to CDA urging them not to approve any such construction.

A survey by researchers at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) revealed that 55% of Biplob Udyan is now covered by concrete, even though building codes permit no more than 5% in a park, and international standards allow no more than 2%.

On 17 July, the Forum for Planned Chittagong sent a letter to the CDA chairman demanding cancellation of the multi-story building plan. Signed by the group's president, Professor Muhammad Sikandar Khan, it stated that building commercial high-rises in an area designated as a "park" in the CDA masterplan is illegal and deeply concerning.

Architect Zarina Hossain, CDA board member and General Secretary of the Forum for Planned Development, told TBS, "Why must the City Corporation interfere in this small park? Last year, we held a meeting, and it was promised that no new construction would happen. Earlier green parks were destroyed in the same way. We have informed CDA, there is no scope for new structures here. As a board member, I will oppose it."

CDA Chairman Engineer Md Nurul Karim also confirmed, "There is no scope for constructing structures in the park. I'm not sure if any applications have come in. But as per the law, such approval cannot be given."

Bela Issues Letter Opposing Construction at Chattogram's Biplob Udyan

The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela) has sent letters to the mayor of Chattogram City Corporation, the district commissioner, and eight other officials, urging them not to lease out Biplob Udyan at the city's Number 2 Gate and to cancel the beautification agreement related to the park.

The letter stated that all existing structures at Biplob Udyan must be removed and public access must be ensured. It also strongly demanded proper preservation and maintenance of the park.

Chattogram City Corporation Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Muhammad Touhidul Islam told TBS, "I've heard about a letter, but have not yet received it in hand."