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Monument in suspended animation

Construction and ongoing maintenance of the Independence Monument in Suhrawardy Udyan has been halted after only 40 per cent of the project was completed due to government inaction

CITY CORRESPONDENT
The Swadhinata Sthambha in the Suhrawardy Udyan hangs in the balance because of government's non-cooperation.
Although about 40 per cent of the Independence Monument has been completed, the finished
work is now wearing down due to lack of maintenance.
The immediate past government has taken up the Tk 172 crore project in May 1999 to build the monument on 67 acres of the 99-acre park.
Concord, a builder, got the contract. Only the maintenance of the finished work is the
builder's main concern, said Chief Engineer of Concord Muzibur Rhaman. About three months ago, the government withdrew the security guards from the project site, he added.
The project included a 150-foot tall glass tower, an amphitheatre, an underground museum and artworks. A VIP block, a conference room and a
parking complex for at least five hundred cars were also included in the plan.
Four years ago, the then prime minister inaugurated an 'eternal flame' as part of the project. A long mural painting was to be built on the eastern side of the monument to record the history of the independence of Bangladesh.
A service centre was supposed to be built as well. Also, the plan includes a fountain to be built close to the mural. Morning walkers and joggers had good news that the plan included a five-kilometre tiled walkway.
But the mega-project came under scrutiny after the BNP-led four-party alliance assumed power and was suspended on February 16 this year after a meeting chaired by Housing and Public Works Minister Mirza Abbas.
The suspension order came after corruption was detected in the project, says the housing and public works ministry. The Bureau of Anti-corruption has estimated the amount of ‘embezzled’ money at about Tk 40 crore. Seven officials were accused.
Later, the project was transferred to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, says a housing and public works ministry official.
A blanket of darkness now covers the monument at night, as most lights of the park are out of order. The park became a haven for sex workers, drug peddlers, vagabonds, muggers and vendors. Even policemen do not to venture into the park at night due to insecurity.