USA to fund restoration of Lalbagh Fort

United States is funding the restoration of Old Dhaka's Lalbagh Fort under a project of Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP).

Yesterday, US embassy in Dhaka and Ministry of Cultural Affairs inaugurated the project named Lalbagh Fort Cultural Preservation and Architectural Documentation.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller and State Minister for Cultural Affairs K M Khalid launched a ceremonial photographic drone to formally initiate the work and toured the grounds of the fort.

The Mughal-era Hammam Khana, one of three primary structures at the Lalbagh Fort complex dating from the 17th century, will be restored under this one-year project, said a press release of US embassy.

The initiative of restoring, retrofitting, and 3D architectural documentation of the Hammam Khana will be led by the Ministry of Culture's Department of Archaeology, using historically authentic materials to restore architectural features and an advanced retrofitting system to improve safety and structural stability, said the press release.

As part of the project, a Heritage Impact Assessment will include traditional and modern drone-based three-dimensional architectural documentation methods, it said.

"Upon completion in 2022, both levels of the Hammam Khana will reopen to the public," said the press release.

"As Bangladesh celebrates its golden jubilee of independence, there's no better time for our countries to further strengthen our friendship rooted in mutual respect and shared values," said Earl Miller while inaugurating the event.

In the past 20 years, the US has partnered with Bangladesh to support 11 AFCP projects to preserve and restore its cultural heritage and patrimony. Since AFCP's conception in 2001, it has supported over 1,000 projects in 130 countries.