Bahadur Shah Park, a ancient living in Aged Dhaka linked to the armed revolt in 1857 in opposition to British colonial rule, has been cleared of the contentious “meals court docket” following protests by local folks.
The Dhaka South Metropolis Corporation (DSCC) has decided now not to renew the rent for the meals stall, marking a foremost step in maintaining the park’s natural and historical essence.
Locals are calling for a proper public declaration from DSCC to make certain that no future leasing will occur.
The rent, granted final 300 and sixty five days for now not up to Tk4 lakh to a non-public organisation, allowed short infrastructure to be installed on one facet of the park.
This resolution confronted robust opposition from locals and environmental activists, who argued that the meals stalls disrupted the environment and aesthetics of the situation.
The rent ended in September, and DSCC has rescinded its resolution to renew the rent.
Kizer Mohammad Farabi, DSCC’s chief property officer, told The Industry Customary, “The map of leasing out Bahadur Shah Park for a meals stall is in the period in-between suspended. After receiving objections from local folks and notorious participants, the rent for a meals stall in the park used to be now not renewed.
“Our protection resolution is that the park will now not be leased for meals stalls or any a style of actions. The metropolis corporation is committed to maintaining the natural environment and historical structures.”
Locals absorb been strongly in opposition to the resolution to place a meals stall on the park since the delicate announcement final 300 and sixty five days. They submitted memorandums to then-mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh a entire lot of times.
In spite of their efforts, Taposh did not reverse the resolution. The subject changed after the descend of the Awami League govt on 5 August, when locals dismantled a entire lot of the meals stall’s structure. Locals now use the closing frame of the structure for inform or rest.
When DSCC called for value new tenders to rent the keep but again, protests resumed. This ended in the authority’s resolution to cease the leasing process.
Md Hamidur Rahman, a local resident and regular park user, acknowledged, “Hundreds of folks technique to this tiny park in Aged Dhaka daily to poke and inform. The meals stall has already ruined your total environment of the park. We welcome it if the south metropolis authorities revoke the resolution to place a meals court docket.”
Social and cultural organisations also joined the circulation to present protection to the park, criticising DSCC for prioritising earnings over environmental and historical preservation.
Akhtaruzzaman, member secretary of the “Historic Bahadur Shah Park and Park Heritage Conservation Struggle Council,” acknowledged that they’ve but to procure any official stare.
He instructed the authorities to subject a written assurance that no future leasing choices will compromise the park’s natural and historical integrity
“In the final 300 and sixty five days, the metropolis corporation earned around Tk4 lakh by developing a meals stall, nonetheless it completely has broken the natural and historical environment of this park a entire lot of times over. In the final three months, the half-ineffective bushes absorb revived in consequence of the absence of the store,” he acknowledged.
He extra called for an official stare from DSCC to ensure locals that no future choices would compromise the park’s integrity.
“If the metropolis corporation decides to assassinate the rent, we can thank the recent administrator,” he added.
Bahadur Shah Park, before all the pieces named Victoria Park, commemorates the resistance in opposition to British colonial rule at some level of the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny. Renamed to honour the final Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah II, the situation stands as a image of Dhaka’s rich historical legacy.
Spanning 85.3 kathas, the park is surrounded by 12 tutorial institutions, together with Jagannath College and Kabi Nazrul Authorities College. It serves as a recreational keep for every and every locals and students.
However, take care of many different historical landmarks, the park has confronted challenges equivalent to encroachment, air pollution and inadequate repairs. The institution of the meals stall finest added to these considerations.
The resolution to total the meals stall rent has introduced relief to park customers and activists, who now hope for sustained efforts to care for the park’s historical and natural beauty.
