Sylhet Freedom Fighter Square remains unopened 14 months after completion due to lighting funding dispute
Photo Collected
SYLHET — A commemorative monument dedicated to freedom fighters, constructed at a cost of 16.9 million BDT in the Kadamtali area of South Surma, remains shuttered 14 months after its structural completion due to an ongoing dispute over lighting costs.
The Muktijoddha Chattar, or Freedom Fighters Square, was designed to honor the historical significance of the site, where Pakistani forces surrendered to liberation fighters in 1971. Although the infrastructure was completed in June 2025 following several project extensions, the Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) has yet to install the required electrical and lighting systems, preventing an official inauguration.
The project’s lead architect, Shakur Majid, has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the delay and the city corporation’s attempt to downgrade the lighting design. According to the original architectural plan, specialized lighting was estimated to cost approximately 4.5 million BDT. However, city officials claim that adhering to the design specifications would require between 7.0 and 7.5 million BDT, an amount they are unwilling to allocate.
Instead, the SCC plans to spend approximately 1.3 to 1.4 million BDT to install standard, lower-quality lighting. Architect Shakur Majid warned that substituting the specialized design with ordinary lighting would severely compromise the aesthetic integrity of the monument.
The monument features a 71-foot-high pillar set on a 71-foot diameter circle, symbolizing the events of 1971. The design includes 52 rings representing the 1952 Language Movement, four bayonets standing 71 feet high, and four rifles converging toward the center, signifying the collective struggle of Sylhet’s four historical subdivisions. The original plan called for sophisticated narrow-beam green lights and laser beams to represent the enduring light of independence.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Sylhet City Corporation, Mohammad Ali Akbar, stated that the project is facing budget constraints. He confirmed that a tender for the lighting work was invited in August, with plans to commence installation in September to expedite the opening of the square.
Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Qaiyum Chowdhury acknowledged the delay as regrettable. He stated that he has instructed the engineering department to resolve the issues quickly to ensure the monument is opened to the public.
The monument, situated on 10 decimal of land, was designed by Dhaka-based firm Triangle Consultants, with a project team including architects Akhtar-uz-Zaman, Nazmul Hossain, Shamimuzzaman Bosunia, Kishor Kumar Shikdar, and electrical designer Ekhlas Sayeed.
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