The Economic Affairs Adviser’s Committee has granted policy approval for two projects to construct and renovate the “July Memorial Museum” in Dhaka, aimed at preserving and showcasing the memories of the July uprising.
The total estimated cost for both projects stands at Tk111.19 crore.
The approval was granted during a committee meeting held on Tuesday at the conference room of the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat, chaired by Economic Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed. Senior officials from relevant ministries were also present at the meeting.
According to various sources, at an Advisory Council meeting last December, it was decided to convert the former prime minister’s residence, Ganabhaban, into the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum. The museum will house memorabilia from the July 2024 mass uprising, tributes to the martyrs, and documented evidence of oppression over the last 16 years of autocratic rule.
However, authorities say that if the construction work begins through an open tender process, it will not be possible to complete the project by the stipulated deadline of August 5, 2025. Therefore, citing “urgent state necessity,” policy approval has been granted for direct procurement under Section 68 of PPA-2006 and Rule 76(2) of PPR-2008.
The construction has been divided into two separate projects, with two construction companies assigned for each segment – electrical mechanical works and civil works with an estimated cost of Tk40.82 crore and Tk70.36 crore respectively.