The action comes, as part of decorating the footpath from Shahbagh to Doyel Circle, to enable pedestrians to rest but may not serve the purpose, said students as odd places have been selected for placement.

According to students and cultural activists, TSC will lose its natural beauty because of this construction. With its establishment in 1968, TSC turned into the busiest social, cultural and political activity centre, along with its large contribution to the country's liberation and democratic movement.

The DCC has included the construction of concrete easy chairs, benches and railings with no cover against the sun or rain and a few will be protected by the shade of trees. "How could easy chairs be made of concrete?" queried Nazrul Islam, a resident student of Shahidullah hall.

"Most benches will go unused in the day. How could it be possible to rest with the direct heat of the sun falling on you? The DCC could make use of the natural shade of trees," he said.

Looking at the plan more deeply, some students feel that these structures may help those involved in drug peddling and sexual activities at night.

The structure a round bench -- that occupies the front of TSC hampers the natural beauty of the centre.

We want the natural open space of the TSC for a breath of fresh air. We do not welcome a pile of concrete," said Firoz Ahmed, a public administration student and cultural activist.

The DCC did not officially inform the TSC authorities of the concrete decoration in front of its premise.

Sources said Mayor Sadeq Hossain Khoka discussed the issue with DU Vice Chancellor Professor SMA Faiz in a meeting at the VC office. The construction is a project to develop city beautification financed by the Asian Development Bank.

"DCC holds the authority to develop such beautification processes. But we request them not to build structures which may destroy the beauty of the centre," said Alamgir Hossain, director of TSC.