CHATTOGRAM, Jan 3: The UN Park in Chattogram has been renamed to "July Memorial Park" on the day that it has been reopened to city residents after the completion of the modernisation project.
The park was reopened after an inauguration by Housing and Public Works Ministry Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan on Friday afternoon.
Adilur said, "A flyover bridge in Chattogram was named after Wasim Akram, a martyr of July-August, and the July Memorial Park has been named in memory of the martyrs."
"I also memorialise those who have struggled against injustice and fascism for the past 15 years. Fascism can never return. This park has been named so that future generations can remember the sacrifice of the martyrs from July to August."
Chattogram Mayor Shahadat Hossain, Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam and officials of the Public Works Department, which implemented the project, were present at the inauguration ceremony.
The Public Works Department is responsible for the 69-acre Panchlaish residential area in the centre of Chattogram city. In 1954, the organisation allocated land for the residential area. The 2.17-acre park was initially named 'Panchlaish Park'.
In 1988, when Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury was the mayor, the Public Works Department handed over the responsibility of renovation and management of the park to the Chattogram City Corporation.
In 2002, following a proposal from the Ministry of Local Government, then mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury named the park "United Nations Park". Since then, the park has been known by this name.
During the tenure of the next mayor, Manjur Alam, in 2012, the city corporation started construction of two swimming pools and a gymnasium in the park, but public entry was blocked. Although the construction of the swimming pool was completed in December 2015, it was not in use for long.
When the next mayor, AJM Nasir Uddin, wanted to lease the park to a private company in 2016, the matter was taken to the court. Then a few more years passed due to conflicts between the city corporation and the Public Works Department. Since then, the park has lain unused.
Due to the lack of upkeep, garbage accumulated in the park. There were large holes all over the field. At one point, the park was abandoned.
Finally, in 2022, the Public Works Department undertook the 'United Nations Green Garden' project to modernise the park at a cost of Tk 126.50 million. —bdnews24.com
