Chittagong's district and city entertainment centres are prepared to welcome visitors this Eid-ul-Azha, which commenced on Thursday.
The facilities have been freshly painted and decorated to draw the eyes of the holiday crowds.
Several measures have also been taken by the tourist police to ensure the safety of the visitors.
Patenga Sea Beach: Prepared and Expectant
Preparations are complete at the Patenga Sea beach, the second-largest sea beach in the country.
Last Eid-ul-Fitr, the beach saw the arrival of over 50,000 daily visitors. If the weather is favourable, a similar number of tourists are expected this time around.
The area has gained an additional point of interest in the form of the under-construction Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under the Karnaphuli River, which could attract a crowd.
Speaking on the matter, Inspector Mohammad Israfil Majumdar of the tourist police, responsible for the Patenga Sea Beach area, said all kinds of preparations have been made to welcome tourists to this sea beach.
“From Eid day onwards, all teams of the tourist police will be on alert. We had over 50,000 daily visitors in Patenga. With this in mind, we have planned accordingly," he said.
"For the safety of the visitors in Patenga, we have set up help desks and mother and child corners. We have also prepared a primary check for the safety of the visitors. This time, there will be three-tier security for the visitors coming to Patenga. These will include plainclothed detective teams from the tourist police, patrol teams present around the clock, along with quick response teams. Measures will be taken as soon as we get news of any criminal activities, including eve-teasing," he added.
Chittagong Zoo: Anticipating High Footfall
Ranked second in terms of visitor influx, Chittagong Zoo experienced an impressive footfall of around 12,000 daily visitors during the last Eid-ul-Fitr, each of whom purchased an entrance ticket for Tk70.
Chittagong Zoo's Veterinarian and Deputy Curator Shahadat Hossain Suvo said the Chittagong district administration runs this zoo, which houses over 620 animals of 73 different species.
He noted that while the usual visitor count ranges from 6,000 to 8,000, it spikes to 12,000 to 13,000 during Eid.
Bangla TribuneKeeping a large number of visitors in mind, they have completed all sorts of preparations, including security measures, he added.
Dr Hossain further said: "Besides the animals and birds, the zoo also has a separate 'Kids Zone' for children's entertainment, equipped with various rides including swings."
Foy's Lake Amusement World and Water World: Ready for Festive Fun
Located adjacent to Chittagong Zoo, Foy's Lake Amusement World and Water World, entertainment centres privately managed on Foy's Lake, an artificial lake developed by the Railway, are set to offer a plethora of festive amusement.
Bishwajit Ghosh, deputy general manager of Foy's Lake Amusement Park, said several entertainment arrangements have been made to attract visitors this Eid.
“In addition to regular rides, there will be magic shows, game shows, DJ shows at Sea World, along with a two-day concert,” he said.
“The entire entertainment area is under CCTV surveillance, and our security personnel are on high alert,” he added.
Bishwajit Ghosh further elaborated on the plethora of activities offered by the amusement park.
He said: “Foys Lake Amusement Park caters to people of all age groups. The entire park is a melange of captivating natural beauty and modern entertainment facilities.
“For the adults, we have a variety of attractions including bumper cars, family roller coasters, pirate ships, and Ferris wheels. These rides have been specifically designed to provide an adrenaline rush and ensure an unforgettable experience for our adult visitors,” he said.
“For the younger visitors, we have a different range of attractions. These include Happy Jump, Pony Adventure, Baby Dragon, Circus Train, and Bumper Boats. We believe these rides, tailored for younger thrill-seekers, will provide them with an enjoyable and memorable visit,” Ghosh shared.
“In addition to the regular attractions, we have the Sea World Water Park. This space is teeming with artificial waves, adding an extra layer of thrill to our various water rides. Attractions at the water park include a wave pool, multi-slide, dancing zone, and more. This part of the park ensures a refreshing and exciting experience for visitors of all ages,” he added.
Other Tourist Spots
Several entertainment centres and tourist spots within Chittagong city and in the 15 upazilas outside the city are well-prepared for the influx of visitors during the Eid-ul-Azha.
These places, inside the city, include the Naval beach, Butterfly Park, Abhay Mitra Ghat in Karnaphuli River, Kazi Deuri Children's Park, Bahaddarhat Shadhinata Complex, Agrabad Karnaphuli Children's Park, Agrabad Ethnological Museum, Halishahar Beach.
Outside the city, the centres include Guliakhali Sea Beach in Sitakunda, Chandranath Hill, Mohamaya Lake in Mirsarai, Parki Beach in Anwara, Mahamuni Buddhist Monastery in Raozan, Aniruddha Barua Ani Shishu Park, Betagi Karnaphuli River Bank, Raozan Rubber Garden, and Fatikchhari Tea Garden.
Overall Security Measures
Chittagong Tourist Police Additional DIG Mohammad Muslim, regarding the security of these tourist spots during Eid, said complete preparations had been made for visitor reception at all tourist spots in the Chittagong region.
“I personally visited the country's main entertainment centre, Cox's Bazar Beach. I have briefed the responsible tourist police there as necessary,” he added.
