Two phases of infrastructural development of the capital’s Azimpur graveyard is complete and the third and final phase is scheduled to begin soon and expected to be done by the end of the year.
According to the authorities concerned, phase one and two of the project has been implemented over the last two year time span with some delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
While talking to the Bangladesh Post, Abul Hashem, DSCC engineer and PD (Project Director) of the graveyard development project said, “work on phase one and two has been completed. For the final phase and third phase of the project, the required utilities are going to be brought in soon and the work is likely to begin next month with hopefully no more obstacles”.
Upon visiting the graveyard, this correspondent saw quite a few changes made to the walkways and overall framework of the place. Multiple entry points of the yard have been merged for the convenience of the visiting pedestrians. Metal overhead walkways are placed over the main walkways to create more walking space and reduce paths becoming crowded.
The previous stone/cemented wall boundary along the main entrance has been changed to see-through glass walls. The whole design and colour scheme complements the recently built mosque along the graveyard that has been commended for its design.
According to authorities, the first phase of the project included developing the ground levels, interconnecting the pathways, reconstructing the boundaries and making alternative paths better.
The second phase included setting up the over head metal walkway in the longest path leading from the main entrance of the graveyard.
Mahbubur Rahman, supervisor of the project in the DSCC’s Zone-3 told this correspondent that throughout the last one and a half year the work did not stop but was definitely slowed down and delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has pushed the work further delaying the estimated time. Construction work was allowed during the time but it was difficult accruing the required laour during the time. However, we can say that two phases have been completed and it is a great improvement,” he said.
Imam and additional superviser of Azimpur Graveyard Mohammad Hafiz told this correspondent that work had positively continued however at a very slow pace.
“The office we are in right now has not been fully constructed yet. We started working in this office in March, however, its construction work is yet incomplete,” he said.
He added that despite the delays and obstacles during the pandemic, the work is more than half way done and there is hope that it could be completed by the end of the year.
The total money spent for the project has not been accumulatively determined yet and will be informed after the completion of the third phase. However, after multiple enquiries by this correspondent regarding the initially sanctioned budget, the amount was not disclosed by PD Abul Hashem.
Arifur Rahman, chairman of a neighbouring mosque of the Azimpur area, told this correspondent that the improvements that are being made are not just advanced, modern and appealing to the eyes, but also very technical in its benefits.
“The advancements are not just going to look good but are going to be very helpful too especially for the elderly. It can be anticipated that once completed, it is going to especially make mobility much more convenient,” he said.
The Azimpur Graveyard was established in 1850 on 32 acres (130,000 square metre) of land. It has more than 3,900 permanent graves, and many temporary ones. Until recent years, the infrastructure of the yard was based on soil and stonework. In recent years, the DSCC took the initiative to rebuild the mosque associated with the graveyard.
After the mosque was completed, the rebuilding of the graveyard started in phases and aims completion within the ongoing year. The mosque was designed by renowned architect Rafiq Azam who received multiple accolades for it. The architect has also designed the improvements of the graveyard currently.