Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday inaugurated the Bangabandhu Novo Theater in Rajshahi and laid the foundation stone of Rajshahi Medical University project.
The premier inaugurated the newly constructed novo theatre virtually from her Ganabhaban residence in the morning.
She also laid the foundation stones of 12 school buildings under three projects of the Education Engineering Department.
Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton joined the inauguration program from the deputy commissioner’s office in Rajshahi. At the inaugural ceremony, officials released colourful balloons in the air.
City Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton on the occasion said: “As part of hundreds of projects across the country, the premier has opened the much cherished novo theatre in Rajshahi today. She also laid the foundation stones of several projects. People in the northern part of the country will now be able to know more about the space and its mysteries by visiting the novo theatre.”
Established on 2.30 acres of land at the frontal portion of Shaheed AHM Kamaruzzaman Central Zoo and Botanical Garden, the novo theater project has been completed at a cost of Tk232.73 crore.
The construction of the project began in 2018 but it was delayed due to the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war.
The Novo Theater Authority and Public Works Department (PWD) implemented the project which has been sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The novo theatre is equipped with modern technology digital projector coupled with scientific and digital exhibits, 5-D simulator theatre, telescope and computerized ticketing and decorating systems.
Apart from this, there is a 9-D and 5-D hall, a Mujib Corner and a scientific library at the novo theatre.
It has a 39,500 square-feet basement with parking spaces for 80 cars. The first floor has office blocks, exhibition space and cafeteria while all the second, third and fourth floors have office blocks, 200-seat exhibition space and 160-seat planetarium.
The premier also laid the foundation stone for the Rajshahi Medical University project on Tuesday.
In June 2022 the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the project, aimed at providing healthcare of an international standard for two crore people.
Besides, under the same project, a 1,200-bed hospital along with an academic building will be set up to provide healthcare services to the residents of Rajshahi and surrounding areas.
