Bangladesh: Will Khulna’s Planetarium Project Ever See the Light?
KHULNA — The long-awaited planetarium project in Khulna, proposed more than a decade ago, faces uncertainty once again, leaving residents frustrated and students deprived of a vital scientific resource.
The Khulna Planetarium, initially approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on February 22, 2022, after years of land disputes, was later scrapped by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
On December 30, 2025, the Ministry’s Senior Secretary, Md. Mokabbir Hossain, presided over the Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting, which decided to declare the project “completed” without implementation.
The cancellation triggered anger among Khulna residents, who have staged protests and called for immediate construction. Civic leaders even threatened to surround the ministry if the government failed to act.
With the project canceled, opportunities for space-related research in Khulna have vanished, and students are deprived of digital and scientific exhibitions that could have enriched science education.
Renewed Hope
Advocate Md. Babul Hawladar, Secretary of the Khulna Citizens’ Forum, said there is some hope that the project could resume.
The interim government brought the project back to the discussion table on January 25, 2026, at the ECNEC meeting in Dhaka, briefing officials on its incomplete status.
Residents have since appealed to the newly elected BNP government to expedite the planetarium’s construction.
The project was first approved under the previous Awami League government as the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Planetarium. The government allocated BDT 55.38 billion for the project, with a planned duration of 36 months.
However, 28 months were consumed in securing land. On April 23, 2024, 8.351 acres in C&DB Colony, Khulna, were handed over to the Planetarium Authority by the Public Works Department. By December 19, 2024, tenders had been invited for construction, with about BDT 0.75 billion already spent.
Currently, the designated site serves as a playground for local children. Some community members have opposed the project, fearing the loss of recreational space.
Project Director Moshiur Rahman explained that local consultations ensured agreement to build a new playground before starting the planetarium, but subsequent events stalled progress.
Project Purpose and Delays
The initiative aims to make science accessible to younger generations, spark interest in STEM fields, and provide scientific education through hands-on exhibits. The search for suitable land in Khulna began in 2012, and delays stretched nearly ten years.
Meanwhile, similar projects in Chattogram, Rajshahi, Barishal, and Rangpur were completed or underway. In 2022, the project was approved for construction on a 10-acre plot in C&DB Colony.
A meeting on December 12, 2024, with the Deputy Commissioner of Khulna, engineers from the Public Works Department, representatives from universities and schools, student leaders, political figures, and media confirmed unanimous support for the site.
Public Objections and Name Controversy
Local residents of C&DB Colony and community groups later opposed the project, citing the loss of the playground and objections to naming it after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Citizens’ leader and freedom fighter Advocate A.F.M. Mohsin criticized the decision, arguing that the project’s cancellation should not have occurred solely over naming concerns. Protesters have stated they would accept the planetarium if its location and name were reconsidered.
According to officials, tenders for the main structures were called from Egypt. However, ongoing criticism, perceived delays, and budget-cut policies from the interim government have left the project in limbo.
Education and Civic Impact
Sheikh Ashraf Uz Zaman, President of the Greater Khulna Development Coordination Committee, highlighted the educational importance of the planetarium, noting that it could transform scientific learning for the city’s youth. Civic groups have organized human chains, press conferences, and protests demanding swift construction.
Meanwhile, some individuals have personally attacked project officials, accusing them of close ties to the previous government, which contributed to the ministry stepping back. With prolonged delays, the residents of Khulna continue to question whether the planetarium will ever become a reality.
The Khulna Planetarium stands as a critical opportunity to enhance science education in the region. Its uncertain future has left students, researchers, and the public eagerly awaiting government action.
