The government has approved a Tk48 crore project to beautify Dharmasagar dighi in Cumilla, aiming to restore this historic pond as a safe, welcoming spot for families, visitors and local traders. Plans call for strengthening and widening the banks, building a modern walkway for easy foot traffic, cleaning and landscaping the river edge, and installing a small hanging bridge in the northeast corner to give visitors a new view. City engineers say the tender process is complete and work is expected to begin soon, a move that local leaders hope will boost tourism and create short-term jobs in the area. Dharmasagar holds deep local meaning: it was dug by King Dharma Manikya centuries ago and has long been the centre of social life, hosting gatherings, markets and cultural events. The pond sits beside a memorial to a famous poet and has ties to well-known musicians who spent time in the city, which adds to its appeal as a heritage site. Project designers say the goal is to balance care for history with safe access for everyone, improving paths so older people and children can visit more easily while protecting the water and nearby trees. Officials also plan to add simple lighting, seating, and green spaces so people can relax and families can spend time by the water after work or school. Cleaner water and better banks will help local sellers and small businesses who rely on visitors, and the project may encourage nearby shops, cafes and boat services to grow in a careful way that respects the site. Environmental steps will be part of the work, including river cleaning and measures to control erosion so the dighi lasts for future generations. Local residents welcome the plan and say improved walkways and safer banks will make it easier to hold small events and festivals that draw people from nearby towns. The scheme also aims to protect the dighi’s role as a steady source of local identity, linking past stories to new community life. As the area is prepared for visitors, planners say they will listen to local voices and try to keep changes simple and useful, so the dighi remains a place for neighbours to meet, for children to learn about local history, and for small businesses to find steady customers. The project is framed as a step that will both honour history and lift the everyday life of the city.
