The visitors and residents of Hatirjheel area have been suffering immensely due to the overpowering stench of water during the dry season since the inauguration of the project. This long-term suffering will end very soon, according to sources.
Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) has undertaken a project to start water purification process on a regular basis in Hatirjheel. The project will be completed by June this year.
Once the preparatory work is completed, the water purification process will begin. After the implementation of the project the water of Hatirjheel will be free from odour and pollution, according to the officials concerned.
The Hatirjheel area became a significant place for the recreation of the common people since its inception. But due to the lack of refinery, dirty and polluted water blemished the environment of Hatirjheel. Especially in the dry season, the foul smell of polluted and dirty water causes extreme sufferings to the visitors and the residents of the area.
The Ministry of Housing and Public Works had undertaken a project at a cost of around Tk 50 crore to purify the lake water and make it odour-free. In 2018, ECNEC (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council) approved the project worth Tk 48 crore and 90 lakhs.
RAJUK was given the responsibility to implement this project. After that the duration of the project was extended more than once due to various complications. However, this time Project Director and RAJUK Chief Engineer ASM Raihanul Ferdous has expressed hope regarding the progress of the project.
He said that work on the Hatirjheel water purification project is progressing at a fast pace. “Hopefully, the project will be completed by next June. The project remained halted for a long time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Atiqul Islam, mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation, while inspecting the ongoing development work to alleviate the problem of waterlogging adjacent to Hatirjheel area on April 19, said, "If Hatirjheel cannot be maintained properly, its full responsibility should be transferred to the DNCC."
He said, "If all the reservoirs including Hatirjheel and lakes located in Dhaka North City Corporation area are handed over to DNCC, we will work in a coordinated manner for their rescue and maintenance."
The Hatirjheel-Begunbari integrated development project was inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on January 2, 2013. The project covering an area over 302 acres of land facilitated connectivity between eastern and western Dhaka.