Residents of Chattogram, the country's most important urban centre next to the capital, have voiced their displeasure over plans to build a 500-bed hospital as well as a medical college over six acres of land in a historic corner of the city, that is also cherished for its greenery. The CRB area, that takes its name from the Central Railway Building - built by the British colonial administration in 1872 as the headquarters of the Assam-Bengal Railway - is a scenic, hilly quarter of the Port City known for its Shireesh trees (Albizia Lebeck)  Surrounded by centuries-old trees, hills, hills and valleys, this area is home to a variety of species of birds and animals. Chattogram residents celebrate the Bengali New Year on April 14 every year on an open stage called "Shireeshtala" at CRB area. CRB also hosts the famed "Boli Khela", an annual freehand wrestling challenge that draws competitors from far and wide.  Read Rotary Governor Faruqui set to open plantation of 1 million saplings Besides, ordinary citizens of all ages and backgrounds gather in the area every day to catch the fresh air. It's not as if Chatdgaiyas are spoilt for choice when it comes to medical facilities in the city. The trading hub's moneyed residents routinely have to visit Dhaka to avail the services available at large, private hospitals. This demand for private healthcare has now been noticed. Earlier this year, Evercare Hospitals opened a 470-bed facility in the Ananna R/A of Chattogram. Evercare have also taken over the old Apollo Hospital in Dhaka from the STS Group.  Read Rampal Maitree power project “to be commissioned in Dec” Recently it emerged that Bangladesh Railway, which owns much of the land in the CRB area, struck a deal in March 2020 with United Enterprise and Company (owners of United Hospital in Dhaka) to build a 500-bed hospital and 100-seat medical college on six acres of land in CRB.

Director General of Ansar and VDP Maj. Gen. Mizanur Rahman Shamim said on Sunday its 61 lakh members are ready to work with the administration at field level to enforce upcoming  lockdown to stem rising coronavirus. He said this while inaugurating a countrywide 'Tree Plantation Program-2021' on the occasion of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of independence. Read: RMG factories to remain open amid 'all-out' lockdown: BGMEA president Maj. Gen. Shamim planted saplings at Ansar-VDP Academy at Safipur, Gazipur to kick off the programme following coronavirus health rules. A colourful procession was also organized on the occasion. The parade encircled the entire academy's parade grounds. Members of all levels of the force took part in it. Read: Nationwide lockdown from Monday, 'all out lockdown’ from July 1 On the occasion of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu  and the golden jubilee of independence, Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defense Forces have started 'Tree Plantation Program-2021' across the country.   Additional Director General of the Brig. Gen. Khandaker Farid Hasan, Commandant Md. Mahbub-ul-Islam, Deputy Director General (Administration) Colonel Mohammad Rafiqul Hasan, Deputy Director General (Operations) Md. Shamsul Alam and other members of the headquarters and academy staff. -Members were present at the program. Read:Army may be deployed to enforce lockdown, hints state minister Earlier on Saturday, The government decided to enforce an all-out lockdown from July 1 as the country grapples with a surge in coronavirus cases and fatalities.

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) celebrated the 74th birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday through a tree plantation program at the BFF House in the city.