Degraded Hatirjheel cries out for attention
The polluted water
in the project area that is spreading bad smell should be pumped out or cleaned immediately. There is no alternative to regular supervision of the project area. And it should be done
on a sustainable basis, not
on ad hoc basis
The implementation of the much-awaited Hatirjheel Project marked a great fulfillment of their desire for the inhabitants of Dhaka city. It not only contributed considerably to traffic decongestion in the city but also appealed to citizens with an aesthetic bent of mind. It was like a lung in the busy mega-city full of traffic snarls, smokes and dusts. Just after the commissioning of the project it turned into a unique centre for recreation for the city-dwellers. Clean water, bridges, flower gardens and illumination attracted people like anything. People in their droves started thronging here in the afternoon to have a respite from the monotonous routine life. But soon the beauteous project started losing its appeal to people.
Now things are not going well with this ambitious project. Rotten household and other garbage from different areas have mixed with the water of the project through the drains and have polluted its water. Though modern machines have been installed for clearing filth those are lying inoperative. There are piles of garbage on the banks of the project. What is surprising is that the water level of the project has fallen by two feet but no initiative has been taken to replenish it. The polluted water of the project is spreading foul smell and keeping the visitors away from it. How will people enjoy its beauty if they cannot even go near it due to rotten smell from the greenish water ? Besides, torn papers and other rubbish are littered in the project area.
In fact, the condition of Hatirjheel has become precarious due to carelessness and mismanagement. Since it has been established with a huge amount of money, it is the responsibility of the relevant authority to maintain it properly so that it can serve the purpose well. But why this negligence in maintaining such a flagship project?
There is no room for dilly-dallying. The polluted water of the project that is spreading bad smell should be pumped out or cleaned immediately. The piles of garbage near it should be removed just as fast. . There is no alternative to regular supervision of the project area. And it should be done on a sustainable basis, not on ad hoc basis.
There are also law and order problems in the project area. Sometimes criminals loiter around here, particularly at night. This is a serious threat to the security of the visitors. A police outpost should be set up within the project to ensure security of the visitors.
