SHAMSUDDIN ILLIUS, Ctg
Media: The Independent
The amusements parks of Chittagong are now busy decorating themselves with a colourful and charming look for Eid celebrations. Some of them have also launched special promotional offers and added new rides to attract visitors. The residents of the city and the adjacent upazilas are thronging to experience the city’s beautiful natural sights along with recreational parks to add to the enjoyment of their Eid holidays.
Many residents from other districts of Chittagong have already started visiting their hometowns from Friday, when the nine-day-long government holidays started. More than two-thirds of the city residents have left the city to celebrate Eid with their near and dear ones.
During the Eid Holidays, families residing permanently in Chittagong make a beeline for recreational spots at Patenga beach, the Naval Academy area, Foys Lake, Chittagong Zoo, the children’s parks at Agrabad, Kazir Dewri, Swadhinata Park, and Butterfly Park.
Bishwajit Ghosh, deputy manager (marketing) of Concord Entertainment Co. Ltd, said: “We are now busy preparing all the rides to deal with the pressure during Eid holidays. We expect around 4,000–5,000 visitors everyday from the second day of Eid, if the weather is fine. We will also offer many packages to the visitors, including rides, breakfast, ice-cream, and soft drinks.”
“We are arranging 10-day-long functions including magic shows, an eight-day-long DJ party at Sea World, game shows, a mega concert on July 16 with famous Bangladeshi musicians, and also evening music shows for resort guests,” he added.
The amusement park is a dry park with the usual theme park rides and attractions as well as boat rides on the lake, landscaping, restaurants, concerts with floating stages, scenic walking trails, and many other fun activities for various ages and tastes. The Sea World Concord is a water-themed park located at Foy’s Lake. Sea World is full of splash pools, water-coaster rides, and all the usual features one would expect from a world-class water park.
The entry fee has been fixed at Tk. 300 for amusement parks and Tk. 600 for the water park. The fee includes unlimited rides and a special discount on the resort room rates, added Bishwajit Ghosh.
Chittagong Zoo, located adjacent to Foy’s Lake, is another great attraction for holidaymakers. The zoo authorities have added new animals this year, as well as built boundary walls, installed seats for the visitors, and painted the whole zoo.
This year, seven horses, a Gayal cow, and a Hoolock Gibbon have been added to the Chittagong Zoo. “This year, we have given a new shape to the Chittagong Zoo. We have built and coloured boundary walls and bought new animals. We hope it will be great attraction to holidaymakers this year,” said Shahadat Hossain Shuvo, veterinary surgeon of the zoo. He added that while around 1,000 people visit the zoo daily on average, the number is expected to go up to nearly 6,000–7,000 on the occasion of the Eid.
Mini-Bangladesh, also known as Swadhinata Park, is also great attraction; it has the country’s only revolving restaurant, as well as replicas of all the important historical structures, including Ahsan Manjil, Karjon Hall, Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban, and Supreme Court.
“We are busy with maintenance work. All the rides have been prepared to give pleasure to the visitors. The newest attraction is a 9D movie. There are also special arrangements for music shows,” said Mozammel Hague Rubel, administration officer of Swadhinata Park.
Butterfly Park, located adjacent to the airport and the Naval Academy area, is always crowded. The children’s parks at Agrabad, Kazir Dewri, and Bahaddar Hat have also made special arrangements for Eid. Special security is being provided at Patenga beach and the Naval Academy area, said the police.
