Surma riverbank now a glorified parking spot

Chandni Ghat, Clocktower of Ali Amjad, Kean Bridge, Sarada Hall and Circuit House -- all stand side by side on Surma riverbank, and together symbolise present-day Sylhet city.

This glorious location was renovated several times, but it was never free from illegal parking of trucks and other vehicles, which blocks pathways for tourists and locals all the time.

Despite taking steps against illegal parking, Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) itself joins in by parking their own vehicles -- occupying roads, footpaths and ultimately, the beautified riverbank.

Sylhet City Corporation, the authority responsible for enforcing parking rules, also parks its vehicles. This has been going on for years, and people who want to see their glorious past be protected are very much concerned about the riverbank’s future. PHOTO: SHEIKH NASIR

Because of the iconic landmarks, the location always draws attention of tourists visiting Sylhet and is also a leisure destination for locals. In the last two decades, several projects were taken to beautify the whole area, and SCC is responsible for keeping such locations free from illegal occupancy.

Faruk Mahmud Chowdhury -- president of Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujan), Sylhet chapter -- said, "The city corporation's services are expanding, and so are their vehicles. But ironically, they don't have any defined parking place. If they themselves park illegally, how can they force others not to do so?"

Contacted, Bidhayak Roy Chowdhury, chief executive officer of SCC, said, "The corporation constructed a terminal for truckers to park, but they always choose to do so by the roadside or on footpaths illegally."

"We have urged the owners and truck labour organisation leaders to stop this practice, but it will take time to change their mindset," he said.

When asked about SCC's own vehicles being parked there, he replied, "The city is small and there is no dedicated spot for SCC to park the increasing number of vehicles. But we are preparing a proposal to acquire designated land for parking and hope that the problem will be resolved".

Faruk, however, said that SCC owns small plots of land scattered across the city. It is not necessary to park all vehicles together at a large location, and so, they should utilise the areas.

To fully appreciate how important it is to protect this location, knowing about its history should provide the proper perspective.

The present-day Sylhet city flourished on this riverbank, where Chandni Ghat was the gateway of the city. In 1874, Zamindar Ali Ahmed Khan of Moulvibazar built a majestic clocktower near the ghat, called "Clocktower of Ali Amjad", named after his son.

In 1933, the then Assam Province Governor Michael Kean started construction of an iron bridge over Surma, right beside the ghat and clocktower. It was opened for all in 1936.

Sylhet's first cultural and community hall, Sarada Hall, named after Saradacharan Shyam was constructed beside the clocktower in 1936, and Circuit House was established near the bridge in 1954.

Last year, a memorial was also erected below the bridge, marking 100 years since Rabindranath Tagore's Sylhet visit.