Century-old Tangail Eidgah in a shambles
The century-old central Eidgah ground in Tangail has been occupied by an influential syndicate for the last couple of weeks in the name of a temporary truck stand.
The 118-year-old Eidgah, established in 1905 on six acres of land, is owned by the district administration, but Tangail Municipality is responsible for its maintenance.
During a recent visit to the site, this correspondent saw numerous trucks were parked in the middle of the large ground.
Moreover, alongside a bamboo market, at least eight tea stalls and several fast-food shops have been erected near the main gate of the Eidgah.
Apart from these, waste materials like dispensable plates, cups, tea bags, polythene bags and used tissue papers were lying scattered all over the field.
Seeing such a condition, no one could guess that two biggest religious prayers of the Muslims are performed here every year.
On the other hand, as most part of the ground remains occupied by large vehicles, children are being deprived of plying any physical sports.
While talking, several students of different educational institutions of the town said they used to play cricket at the ground on every Friday, but they have been deprived of playing they game for the last several weeks due to illegal construction of the truck stand.
Syed Nazmul Hossain, coordinator at Evergreen Fitness Club, said the truck stand has become a trouble for many health-conscious people who come to the ground every morning.
A number of truck owners, including Hossain Ali and Rubel Miah, said after being evicted from the stadium premises last month, they set-up the truck stand on the Eidgah compound after having discussions with the municipality mayor.
Tangail Municipality Mayor SM Sirajul Haque Alamgir said in order to hold Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Gold Cup Football Tournament, the truck stand was removed from beside the pond, owned by the district sports association, and shifted to the Eidgah ground on a temporary basis.
They will start the renovation work of the Eidgah within December this year.
Tangail Deputy Commissioner Kaiserul Islam said no permission was given to set-up the truck stand on the Central Eidgah ground.
Comments