Demolition of Bankipore Jail Begins
Patna: April 20, 2007
 District administration in Patna on Friday demolished what had left of the historical Bankipore Jail on Frazer Road to make room for a lush park to be named after Lord Buddha whose 2550th birth anniversary celebration that is underway throughout the nation.
Heavy land movers including bulldozers and cranes flattened the eastern wall of the prison that once lodged several martyrs and freedom fighters during the British Raj.
The park will be spread in 30 acres of land with artifacts and attractions to match Buddhism and the Buddhist era, officials in Patna said.
Thousands of people gathered outside the jail on Friday to see the demolition work. Once the eastern wall was tore down, one could see the interior of the prison that resembled a jungle with overgrown trees due to the neglect of the facility after it was officially condemned by the government nearly two decades ago.
The decision to build a park in the memory of Buddha was taken just last Thursday when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met with top state officials to brainstorm on events and activities in the state to mark the 2550 birth celebration of Lord Buddha.
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