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Fate of historic temples hangs in the balance

Expansion of road

By Morshed Ali Khan
The fate of a number of historic temples at Dhamrai. dating as far back as 500 years, and age-old houses that stand out in traditional architectural designs. is hanging in the balance because of a World Bank-aided project for expansion of a road through the area.
If the project goes ahead, the traditional and biggest Rath Mela in the country will also be threatened. Among many other yearly melas (fairs). Dhamrai Rath Mela has been taking place for over 400 years, records
show.
The project for development of the 15.25 km of road between Dhamrai and Dhantara has been temporarily suspended after its adverse impact was pointed out to the WB by this correspondent after visiting the site.
The problem arose when LGED engineers took steps to widen the existing narrow road up to 30 feet, demolishing the
old structures.
In a letter to The Daily Star, the visiting Principal Transport Specialist of the WB Thampil Pankaj said, "during the preparation of this project for improving an existing road, there was no proposal to demolish any structures along this road. The World Bank and its staff take such adverse impacts very seriously, and would not agree to such proposals."
The World Bank will "closely monitor the matter. The LGED has agreed to temporarily suspend the work until the dispute is resolved and to consider the by-pass option." the letter said.
But the minority community people of Dhamrai. who do not know what is the latest development in this regard in Dhaka. are worried over the Issue.
"Our temples were torched and partially destroyed by the Pakistani army during the War of Liberation." said Thakur Gopal Banlk, a local businessman and social worker. "We rebuilt our places of worship and houses. But now a road that could easily be diverted to avoid such destructions Is going to be a severe blow to our way of life."
Another businessman of the area said. The government has promised fo compensate for our property. But none can compensate for our history and tradition. We do not want money. We want to live undisturbed in the place of our forefathers".
He further said. "There are enough government lands for construction of the road with less expenses, saving our land and property. But dirty politics I has led to the present situation."
When approached LGED officials at Dhamrai said it was the result of "political engineering" In 1993, on which real engineers had no say "Despite objections from our side. It was decided by influential politicians that the road had to pass through the particular part of the village acquiring the required land", said one official.
"The earthfiling work of the road has been completed and now. tender has been floated to make it mentalled". he said, adding that LGED had requested the DC (Land) two months ago to hand over the remaining land immediately.
Local people said when a 150-metre long bridge was being built over the Bangshi river, hardly 100 yards from the site, they had raised the question whether the connecting road would pass through their vil lage.
"TheY replied In the affirmative but assured us that the existing narrow road would not be expanded because of the im-Krtant sites and structures on th sides. But a few months later, we heard another story.” Gopal Banlk said.
’The LGED then told us that
the verandahs of our houses would have to be sacrificed, then in October, people from the office of the DC (Land) came to survey our houses," he added.
Every house in the particular area has rich architectural value. Many have their entrances carved with colourful marbles, a rare traditional architecture.
Inside a two-storied house with a beautiful dome on top. the floors are made of rare white marbles. During the War of Liberation, the Pakistani army and their collaborators destroyed the wall carvings, looting everything from inside. What hardly remained on the alls are meticulous hand work of master craftsmen.
On the opposite side of the house, across the 10 feet wide existing road, a nearly 500-. year-old temple — Bashudev Mandir — still looked neat and clean with its cottage shaped structure made of brick ana ceramics.
There was a three and half maund "Bisnu statue dating back to the Gupta era. but it was looted during the War of Liberation.” said the priest of the temple.