Striking Hatirjheel at stake
Right management missing; mindless activities of visitors pose danger to the public assest as well as to commuters
Illuminated stylish bridges and overpasses of the Hatirjheel project, Photo: Star
The authorities have not instituted a body in four months to look after Hatirjheel integrated scheme considered as one of the finest and rarest civic facilities Dhaka dwellers have ever had.
The government opened the much-hyped set of facilities to public early January hurriedly without designating a custodian in place for its upkeep, while components like footbridge, viewing decks, lakeside steps and amphitheatre were still under construction.
The 302-acre scheme offers an aesthetic public space including wetlands, eye-catching fancily illuminated stylish bridges, overpasses, walkways, gardening, plantation, leisure benches and viewing decks giving an exotic aura.
In absence of a watchdog, the facilities have been left at the mercy of unruly elements, who indulge in rowdy driving, wrong car parking, littering, defacing and tearing off saplings and flower plants.
Vehicles take wrong direction on the one-way express road, which may cause fatal accidents anytime. Wielding of a safety barrier of a bridge was found broken. Unruly youths riskily climb up and down the 15-metre-high arch design of the bridge.
Hatirjheel project, attract a large number of visitors in the evening and also in the day. But in absence of custodian authorities and lack of enforcement of street laws, people jaywalk, Photo: Star
Mahfuza Akhtar, an admin officer at a private university, who came on a weekend stroll to the site, said unruly behaviour of some people posed risks of accidents and was damaging for decorative features of the beautiful public asset.
Rowdiness of this kind may lead to some unnecessary disgrace to the beautiful site with any fatal accidents or property damage, fear ordinary visitors.
The local inhabitants apart, here converge people of all ages and occupation to enjoy fascinating recreational features of scenic lake view, floral landscape and open air stroll for a breathing space in a city of crammed concrete jungle.
The fascinating multi-colour illumination on the bridges beckons people from far and wide with a captivating view at night.
"While strolling there, I felt as if I were in some foreign land," said Tania Islam, a college student and resident of Badda.
Vendors occupy a portion of the road, Photo: Star
Abdul Mannan Khan, state minister for housing and public works, said as to why the government had opened the scheme without maintenance mechanism that they had to hurry on political consideration.
The ministry on January 10 formed a 15-member advisory committee headed by its Secretary Khondaker Showkat Hossain and an 11-member management committee headed by Rajuk board member Mahbub Ul Alam.
The secretary could not be contacted over his mobile phone for response.
Md Nurul Huda, chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), said the management committee's recommendation in this regard was delayed as he was not in office for a month.
"We hope we will come up with recommendations within a week," Huda said.
The combined scheme provides east-west road connectivity and storm drainage system through Tejgaon, Gulshan, Modhubagh, Moghbazar, Badda, Ulan and Rampura stretching between Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue and Rampura.
While a few traffic policemen manage the entry and exit points, they are not deployed for internal traffic control in the scheme implemented at the cost of Tk 1,971 crore.
Brig Gen Abu Sayeed Mohammad Masud, one of the project directors of the scheme, said they presently deployed eight personnel at four entry points of the scheme after 11:00 at night to prevent reckless driving and patrol team for overall security.
Army engineering corps personnel would withdraw from the site in September when the project tenure officially comes to an end.
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