New look for an old bldg

The age-old Barisal collectorate building will finally be turned into a museum. PHOTO: STAR

A Tk 3.1 crore Barisal Divisional Museum Project has been undertaken by the government to protect and preserve our rich national heritage and glorious historical sites.

Of the entire amount Tk 50 lakh has been allocated at the initial stage for the purpose.

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State Minister for Cultural Affairs Begum Selina Rahman announced this while visiting the 150-year-old Collectorate building on Thursday.

It will take at least three years to implement the project if things progress smoothly, according to the Archaeology Department officials.

During her visit, the state minister was accompanied by Barisal City Corporation (BCC) Mayor Majibur Rahman Sarwar MP, Archeology and Antiques Depart-ment Chief Engineer Shihabuddin Ahmed, Abdur Razzak, director, Khulna Museum director Abdul Hakim and Barisal Deputy Commi-ssioner (DC) Abdul Monaf Patwari.

The Archaeology Department declared the Collectorate building a preserved site, through a gazette notification of the President, on April 1 last year.

Renovation of the abandoned building started on June 15. But it was stopped within 48 hours following attack by BNP-backed hooligans who tried to grab the property by force.