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Stop building illegal parking infrastructure diminishing Lalbagh Fort Wall

On Thursday25th June 2015, a team containing Poribesh Bachao Andolon (POBA), Protyasha, Green Mind Society, Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust and other social organizations went to inspect Lalbagh Fort. A parking infrastructure is being built diminishing the wall of the fort. The team, led by Abu Naser Khan, Chairman, Poribesh Bachao Andolon (POBA), said that, the infrastructure that is being built by the name of development, is against the main design of Lalbagh Fort. The group demanded that the building of car parking should be immediately stopped and those who are responsible for the misdeed should be brought under punishment.

It was found by the inspection that archeology department itself is responsible for the destruction of the heritage. They have diminished wall of the fort and building VIP car parking in the name of development and protecting heritage.   

We, the environmentalists think that some people are trying to meet up their own interest by destroying the Mughal heritage. Building a car parking in the Fort surely has some business interest. The place was previously used for prayer of Eid, Ramadan and Juma. Main design of the heritage has always been prioritized throughout the world to protect those. But in this case the main design is being violated. The action is against Antiquities Act 1968.

Inspection team found out that the responsible officers have negligence towards their duties. Custodian of Lalbagh Fort and Contactor could not show any written document permitting the car parking. Custodian said that the parking will be a temporary one. But she failed to show any documents. Inspection team has demanded that to protect the interest of our country the project must be stopped immediately. And a proper investigation should be conducted to punish the responsible people with this destruction. 

Helal Ahmed, General Secretary, Protyasha; Amir Hossain, Secretary-General, Green Mind Society; Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam, Technical Adviser, the Union; Maruf Hossain, National Advocacy Officer, Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust; Naznin Kabir, Senior Project Officer, Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust; Social worker A K M Sirajul Islam, Nazrul Islam, Md. Selim and many more were the part of inspection team.