A digital billboard structure located at Shahbagh’s Projonmo Chattar in the capital was dismantled late Saturday night, authorities confirmed.
Contrary to speculation circulating on social media, officials have clarified that the structure was not related to the 2013 Gonojagoron Mancha movement, but rather installed in 2014 to display government development activities.
The dismantling, reportedly carried out using a bulldozer during the night, triggered discussions online with many assuming political motivations. However, law enforcement and city officials have refuted these claims.
Shahbagh Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Khalid Mansur stated, “The demolition was executed by the Public Works Department (PWD) and the City Corporation as they plan to build a new structure there. We remained alert to ensure no unrest occurred due to the overnight operation.”
In contrast, Hasiba Khan, Chief Property Officer of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), told The Report Live, “No such demolition was carried out by DSCC, nor does any such structure fall under our jurisdiction in Shahbagh.”
Officials from the Public Works Department have remained tight-lipped. Parvez Mohammad Khadem, Additional Chief Engineer of PWD`s Dhaka Zone, said he was unaware of any such demolition. Similarly, Misbah Uddin, Additional Chief Engineer of the Dhaka Metropolitan zone, declined to comment.
A supervising engineer, speaking anonymously, noted that the digital billboard was part of a former government`s initiative to modernize public communication.
The structure was installed in Shahbagh in 2014 but later fell out of use due to its inconvenience to pedestrians and drivers.
Activist Lucky Akter, a key figure in the Gonojagoron Mancha, clarified, “No permanent structure was ever built at Shahbagh in connection with the movement.
While the area is now popularly known as Projonmo Chattar, we had no involvement with any such installation. I only heard about the demolition this morning through the media.”
As of now, there has been no official statement clarifying which authority ordered the removal.
Notably, in November 2016, the High Court directed both Dhaka North and South City Corporations to remove all banners and festoons from roads, sidewalks, and medians.
Following that order, Dhaka North—under the leadership of late Mayor Annisul Huq—received public praise for swift action, whereas Dhaka South was seen as slower to comply. Over time, the popularity of digital banners also declined.
