Authorities plan to transform 200-year old Dhaka Central Jail into amusement centre

The authorities have planned to transform the 200 years old Dhaka Central Jail into an amusement centre after transferring the inmates to the new prison in Keraniganj.

The amusement centre on the 18-acre land at Old Dhaka’s Nazimuddin Road will include park, museum, convention centre, amphitheatre and several other entertainment facilities.

The jail authorities are also thinking about preserving the buildings with historic value.

Inspector General of Prisons Syed Iftekhar Uddin spoke to bdnews24.com about the plans after the transfer of 6,400 male inmates to the new jail in Kernaiganj’s Rajendrapur started early on Friday.

“There will be a lot of things here. We already have two museums and different historical monuments here.

“We will preserve them and build a place for entertainment with a new design,” he said.

A children’s park, convention centre, some departmental stores and amphitheatres will also be set up, he said.

Uddin said an open competition for the design will be organised with the help of the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) and the Bangladesh Institute of Planners.

The winner will be awarded the consultancy of the work, he said.

“The paperwork is complete. Maybe it will be published in newspapers within the next month,” the prisons head said.

He thinks it would take three months to get the design.

The place will be under the prison authorities after the transfer of inmates.

“Because many other issues along with security are related to the matter,” he said.

The plan has left a resident of the neighbourhood excited.

“Great! I won’t have to go to Ramna Park for a walk,” Ramzan Ali said.

“My wife and I are diabetic. Such a place will be of great help to the patients in Old Dhaka,” he added.

Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokon’s electoral pledges included the setting up of a children’s park at the jail after the transfer of the inmates.