Renovation of court bldg soon

Dilapidated ejlas in court building. Photo: Star

Chittagong Court building constructed on Parir Pahar back in 1892 was declared abandoned by department of public works in 1985 as some portion of it became dilapidated. But the building that houses many important offices of district administration apart from courts had been going without any repair or renovation posing threat to thousands of people turning up there everyday.

However, some four years back a move was taken to demolish the building, one of the landmark physical structures of a great archeological value. A Tk. 33.89 crore project was also earmarked to construct a six-story new building replacing the present one.

Later, the project was abandoned in the face of protest by the members of civil society, different professional groups and lawyers.

They demanded removal of third floor to lessen pressure on the original structure.

A project of Tk. 60 crore was taken to repair and renovate the building and construct a new five-story building two years back. The work of the project includes reconstruction of roofs of the first two floors and renovation of the whole building removing the second floor made in mid-fifties, at a cost of Tk. 12 crore.

The offices of the court building are being shifted to the Bangladesh Bank.

Deputy Commissioner Shafiqul Islam said renovation work would start soon and be completed within two years.

The work would be as per the report of a ten-member Basunia Committee to restore the original shape and structure of the century-old building, Shafiqul Islam said.

He said a five-story building would be constructed behind the existing building to meet the growing demand of the administration.