Fund shortage is seriously hampering construction of a protection embankment around the Rayerbazar Martyrs' Monument, which is threatened by erosion from the Buriganga.

"The Liberation War Affairs Ministry this month has so far received Tk 30 lakh of the Tk 1.16 crore that was approved by the Planning Commission for the current fiscal year. The rest would be paid by the next fiscal," said Didarul Ahsan, deputy secretary of the ministry.

As the war memorial slowly

slips into ruin, another reason for the project not proceeding is because of confusion over which ministry would be in charge for its protection and development and the need to revise costs due to the delay.

But during an inter-ministerial meeting last August, it was made clear which ministry would be overseeing the project's financial management while the PWD was assigned the task of supervision, protection and development ofthe memorial.

Although the deputy secretary of Liberation War Affairs Ministry has assured that funds would be forthcoming,

the PWD is still waiting.

"We have not received any funds from the ministry for the slope protection though we have heard that it has been approved by the Planning Commission. And since the project costs will go beyond those approved for this fiscal, we have to work with whatever funds available.

"In the meantime have sought expert opinion to save the monument and are taking steps such as breaking bricks to be used as temporary blocks," PWD executive engine er F azlul Kabir s aid.

The PWD have also erected bamboo fences around the site.

"Due to lack of funds we resorted to putting up bamboo fences to protect it from the current monsoons."

The concrete cement blocks that were built earlier to partially protect the historical memorial are quickly disappearing due to lack of maintenance.

"The blocks are becoming unsteady and they just crumble in to the river. That is why as a quick fix we are now using bamboo poles instead."

The new project envisages dumping of soil beside the monument and placing geo textile and building new concreteblocks.