‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Square’ to usher in a new dimension in tourism

With an aim to flourish tourism in Panchagarh district, 'Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Square' is being constructed at Banglabandha in Tentulia upazila.

In the form of the Twin Towers or London Bridge, this spectacular installation will have two five-storey buildings on either side of the highway about seven hundred metres away in southern side from the zero point. The two buildings will be connected by a bridge which will be built 25 feet above on the road.

The entire installation will be of steel structure, said Abdul Alim Khan Owareshi, chief executive officer (CEO) of Panchagarh Zila Parishad.  

This aesthetic structure, an initiative taken by Panchagarh District Council, is being constructed for the convenience of tourists coming to the northern part of the country. The project will cost about Tk 3.60 crore and the construction work commenced about two weeks ago, which will be visible within a short span of time.

Every year thousands of tourists visit Banglabandha, Tentulia and Panchagarh but the region lacks suitable infrastructural facilities for the tourists.

Considering the constraints of flourishing tourism sector, the Zila Parishad has taken the initiative to build Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Square in Banglabandha area, the last northern border of the country.

According to the CEO, the square comprising two five-storey buildings with steel structures is being constructed on both sides of the highway near Banglabandha land port. Each building will be 30 feet long and 30 feet wide. There will be a historical museum on the ground floor of the first building. With the permission of the higher authorities of the government, there will be photography gallery of all the historical agreements executed between both the governments of India and Bangladesh, including the Mujib-Indira agreement. The history of Bangabandhu and the liberation war will be given a special emphasis. There will be residential facilities from the first to third floors and a Watch Tower and a coffee corner will be set up on the fifth floor.

A tourist police and security unit will be on the ground floor of the second building. There will also be residential facilities from the first to fourth floors. On the fifth floor, there will be the Watch Tower and a food corner.

The design of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Square. Photo: Star

The 100-feet-long and 20-feet-wide bridge connecting the two buildings will have a 5 feet wide pathway. There is a plan to set up stalls on both sides of the way where various traditional products of the country will be displayed for sale.

If the government approves, stalls from India, Nepal and Bhutan will be set up there as the trade of the countries is conducted through the land port.

Panchagarh District Council Chairman Anwar Sadat Samrat said the construction of 'Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Square' in Banglabandha will open new horizons in the tourism industry. There will be opportunities for tourists to stay and take food in a good atmosphere.

"Thousands of tourists visit Panchagarh every year. Especially they come to see Banglabandha Zero Point. But there is no opportunity to stay and eat in a good atmosphere. We have taken initiative to build the Square on behalf of the Zila Parishad to enhance the tourism industry of Panchagarh."

"Hopefully, after completion of the construction, it will add a new dimension to the tourism industry of the district," he said.