‘Cancel FDC-Palashi link road project’

Environmental activists, professionals, rights activists, planners, lawyers and other civil society members yesterday reiterated their demand for immediate cancellation of the link road project from FDC to Palashi portion of the elevated expressway, which is damaging Hatirjheel and Panthakunja Park.

In a joint statement, 157 citizens said the road is violating the environmental laws and the constitution in a glaring example of discriminatory planning, lack of environmental clearance, and state mismanagement.

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The project has been undergoing with corruption, mismanagement and a lack of coordination since it started which became a reason of ecological damage and public suffering, they also said, adding that around 2,000 trees have already been felled in Panthakunja, and portions of Hatirjheel's wetland have been illegally filled.

The signatories argued that this project directly violates Article 18A of the Constitution, which obliges the state to protect natural resources, biodiversity, and wetlands for current and future generations.

Till yesterday a group of young protesters have been demonstrating at Panthakunja Park under the banner of "Bangladesh Tree Protection Movement" for 151 days.

They expressed disappointment and concern as the government is still not taking any visible steps to save Panthakunja Park and Hatirjheel.

"The project not only ignores legal safeguards for nature but also contradicts global efforts to cut carbon emissions," the statement noted.

Critics stressed that while many countries are investing in public transportation to reduce dependence on cars, this project, initiated by the previous authoritarian regime, reflects a development philosophy that undermines both the environment and the rights of citizens.

Dhaka University Prof Gitiara Nasreen, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman, author Prof Anu Muhammad, photographers Shahidul Alam and Nasir Ali Mamun, Prof Salimullah Khan, rights activists Rehnuma Ahmed and Shireen Huq, member of Constitution Reform Commission Firoz Ahmed and Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, and urban planner Adil Muhammad Khan signed the statement, among others.