Jatisangha Park in Port city: Renovation done, reopening delayed

The Public Works Department completed the renovation work of the Jatisangha Park in Chattogram city’s Panchlaish area around two months back, after significant delays. However, the park still remains off-limits to public. 
Decision to reopen the park lingers in face of the question on how will it be reopened and who will inaugurate it.
Meanwhile, common people of the port city’s Panchlaish, Katalganj, Chawkbazar, Kapasgola, Badurtola, Shulakbahar, Mirzarpool, Parobarttak, Sugandha and Muradpur areas remain deprived of the public park’s facilities in absence of any alternative.
Abdul Aziz, a local resident of Panchlaish area, said the park should be reopened immediately as the renovation work has already been completed.
“If the park is opened, residents, especially the children and elderly people will be benefitted,” he added.
The 59-year-old park is situated on a 2.17-acre land.
PWD in Chattogram renovated the park under its Green Garden Development Project between January 2023 and September this year at a cost of Tk 12.62 crore.
Babar Associates and Coronation Corporation, a joint venture, carried out the renovation work.
During a recent visit, it was seen that the park was ready to open. The walkway, sitting arrangements for visitors, fountain and all other facilities have been installed. Although the gate was found closed, the park’s beauty could be seen from outside through the iron grills of its boundary wall.
Contacted, Kamrul Islam Khan, executive engineer of PWD, Chattogram (Div-1), said, “We have sent a letter to the Ministry of Public Works and Housing last month inquiring about the decision on the park’s reopening.”
“We are now waiting for the ministry’s decision on how will the park be reopened and who will inaugurate it,” he added.