Five years on, Taraganj women's training centre still lies deserted

RANGPUR, Aug 01 (UNB): Built with the promise of empowering rural women through skills training, the Taraganj Upazila Women's Development Training Centre now stands as a deserted building-its classrooms silent, its doors broken, and its future uncertain.

Five years after its construction, not a single training session has been held at the centre in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur.

Local residents alleged that the structure had become a gathering place for drug users after dark.

During a recent visit, the building presented a picture of neglect.

Large cracks have appeared in several walls, doors have been damaged, and most of the bathroom fittings have been removed.The water tank and supply pipes are missing, while soil erosion around the structure has left parts of its foundation vulnerable.

The centre is located inside Bamandighi Eco Park of the Collectorate, beside the Rangpur-Dinajpur highway in Ikarchali Union.

According to the upazila administration, the building was constructed during the 2020-21 fiscal year at a cost of Tk 3.51 million (35.19 lakh) under the Upazila Management and Development Project, funded by the Government of Bangladesh and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The project was implemented by the Upazila Parishad under the technical supervision of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). The objective was to provide local women with vocational and income-generating training to improve their livelihoods.

However, despite the investment, the centre has remained locked since its completion.

Local residents say that the lack of use and maintenance has encouraged theft and vandalism.