Zia Udyan undergoing major transformation

Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital is undergoing a transformation. Several new initiatives have been taken to improve facilities for visitors to the mausoleum complex of late President Ziaur Rahman and his wife, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

Several public toilet blocks are being constructed for women, men and people with disabilities. Deep tube wells and pipelines are being installed to ensure safe drinking water throughout the park and the mausoleum premises.

The existing nonfunctional fountain at the park’s Crescent Lake is being renovated. A new walkway is being constructed along the pond. Work is also underway to apply epoxy paint to the lake’s guide walls and the steel frames of the bridge.

Renovation work at the auditorium and Zia Memorial Museum is also progressing rapidly. Reconstruction of the main mausoleum infrastructure, along with beautification and renovation of the adjacent park and premises, is advancing at a fast pace.

The entire project has been given the highest priority, with the work scheduled to be completed by December. Once completed, the entire Zia Udyan area will regain its vibrant appearance.

President Ziaur Rahman was buried at Chandrima Udyan, then part of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, after he was killed in a military coup in 1981.

The park was renamed Zia Udyan in 1992. However, after the Awami League came to power in 1996, it was renamed Chandrima Udyan on October 24 that year.

The BNP returned to power in 2001 and renamed the park Zia Udyan. In 2002, the BNP government took the initiative to construct a mausoleum complex there. Later, the BNP beautified the complex by developing the lake and fountains.

On March 3, 2010, the then Awami League government again changed the name of Zia Udyan to Chandrima Udyan.

During the 15 years of Awami League rule, the park remained severely neglected and poorly maintained.

After the Awami League government was ousted on August 5, 2024, the park was renamed Zia Udyan from Chandrima Udyan. The Public Works Department also began paying greater attention to the area.

The park’s significance increased several times over, particularly after former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was buried there on December 31 last year.

According to the progress report on the implementation of decisions and recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, a decision was made to give the highest priority to expediting the reconstruction of the main mausoleum infrastructure.