United News of Bangladesh

More than a decade after it was first approved with the promise of giving residents a cleaner, greener and more accessible lake environment, the Uttara Lake Development (1st Revised) Project remains mired in delays, extensions and rising costs. What was once envisioned as a model urban regeneration initiative—protecting the Uttara lake system from encroachment, improving water retention, preventing pollution and creating vibrant walkways and recreation spaces—has instead become a striking example of chronic stagnation in public infrastructure development. Recently the government extended the project deadline for the sixth time, pushing completion to June 2026. A Decade of Deadlines Missed The project, undertaken by the Ministry of Housing and Public Works was originally approved in 2014. At the time, it carried a modest two-year timeline from July 2014 to June 2016 and a cost estimate of Tk 37.32 crore. Read more: Banani Society's 55k Adda Park: Community-led initiative transforms decaying lakeside into urban oasis But as years passed with repeated extensions and little visible improvement, the financial footprint expanded dramatically. After revisions, the cost now stands at Tk 90.73 crore, nearly two and a half times the original estimate. RAJUK alone is bearing Tk 78.85 crore of that amount. “We need to protect the lake from pollution and encroachment, but all we see are deadlines being moved,” said Aminul Haque, a long-time resident of Sector 4. Why the Delay? RAJUK Lists a Long Chain of Reasons Officials attributed the most recent delay to multiple complications in the field. Unusually heavy rainfall during the current fiscal year has held back progress, while the land acquisition process has taken longer than expected. Read more: Kaptai Lake must be protected as a national asset: Farida Akhter The project area includes two mosques, forcing RAJUK to proceed cautiously. Daytime restrictions on truck movement have meant that sludge removal could only be carried out at night. Moreover, the project site is situated in a densely populated and congested neighbourhood, requiring slow and careful pallasiding work to avoid disturbing surrounding houses. RAJUK officials also reported resistance while attempting to evict illegal structures in an adjacent slum, further slowing the pace of work. The Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) approved the government’s proposal for a one-year extension, but only under strict conditions. IMED emphasised that all remaining activities must be completed within the newly approved timeframe and no further extensions would be allowed. Read more: Teesta Dam ‘renovation’ in Rangpur turns into a 'sand bonanza' It observed that no audit objections were raised between the 2017–18 and 2022–23 financial years, but that audit work for 2023–24 is still pending. Current Progress: Some Movement, Much Left to Do According to RAJUK’s latest report, cumulative financial progress reached Tk 56.84 crore, or 62.65 per cent, as of May 2025, while physical progress stood at 65 per cent. The Planning Commission acknowledged the challenges of working in such a densely populated area but agreed that the extension was necessary to complete the remaining 35 per cent of work, including the removal of illegal structures around the lake. The project has been allocated Tk 16 crore in the Annual Development Programme for the 2025–26 financial year. Residents Wait—and Hope On paper, Uttara Lake should by now be lined with walkways, lush greenery, open spaces and cleaner water flowing through a restored ecosystem. But for many residents, the lake remains a reminder of promises delayed and opportunities lost. Read more: Tk 2105 cr housing projects for July martyrs’ families, injured get govt nod “It’s not that nothing has changed,” said Mumu Chowdhury, who lives near the lake area. “But the pace is too slow. We deserve better—this is our environment, our community.” With yet another deadline now set for mid-2026, residents are hoping this will finally be the last extension.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday distributed newly-constructed flats among 300 low-income families as they were living in slums, enabling them to avail of civic amenities. She handed over the allocation papers of the new flats in 14-storey three buildings on rental basis. Read: PM likely to join 76th UNGA in person The flat distribution programme was held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. The prime minister joined it from her official residence Ganobahban. The flats have all the facilities of a modern urban residence like lift, generator, solar power, wide walkways, power substations, open spaces and beautification through illumination. The daily rent for every 672-sqf flat, having a drawing room, one kitchen and separate bathrooms, has been fixed at Tk 150, while the monthly rent at Tk 4,500. The Ministry of Housing and Public Works implemented the project at Mirpur 11 in the capital from its own financing. This is the first phase of relocating slum residents to better housing.

The High Court on Tuesday (May 11, 2021) issued a verbal order to halt cutting trees at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan till May 20. Justice Mamunur Rahman and Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman’s virtual bench gave the order while hearing a contempt of court petition against Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and three government officials. The court directed Attorney General AM Amin Uddin to notify the authorities concerned and fixed May 20 for the next hearing on tree felling at Suhrawardy Udyan. Also read: No tree to be felled unnecessarily at Suhrawardy Udyan: Project Director Advocate Manzil Murshid filed the contempt petition on May 9, three days after serving a legal notice to the respondents. The notice was sent to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Chief Engineer of Public Work Division Shamim Akhtar and Chief Architect of Bangladesh Mir Manjur Rahman. Also read: The fight to save Dhaka's 'oxygen bank' On May 6, another legal notice was sent to the authorities concerned to stop cutting trees by six different organisations and an individual. The notice was sent to Dhaka South City Corporation, Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, Local Government Division, RAJUK, Department of Environment and Department of Public Works. Also read: 'Project rolled out to make March 7 venue a wonder to behold' A writ petition was filed in this regard on May 9, as the authorities didn’t respond to this notice either. The petitioners were - Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), Association for Land Reforms and Development (ALRD), Nijera Kori, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) and architect Mobassher Hossain.

As the government gives priority to saving trees, no tree will be felled unnecessarily while implementing the mega plan at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan. "For that reason, the government will start planting trees in the coming monsoon and at least 1000 trees will be planted," said the project director of Shawdhinata Stambha (independence monument) construction project (Third Phase) at the Suhrawardy Udyan M Habibul Islam. He said that after the completion of the project it will take a beautiful look, he said. "We hope that those who are denouncing now will appreciate it at the end of the project, if they have that kind of mentality to appreciate," he said. He said that people have to give the government that time and accept the temporary loss of some trees now. Regarding the number of trees that will be cut down to implement the project, he said that the number of trees is not what is being shown in various photos in different newspapers, online media and social media. "Does anyone cut down trees by marking such ways and drawing others’ attention?" he questioned. Talking about the newly planted trees, M Habibul Islam, who is also joint secretary to the Liberation War Affairs Ministry, said that there will be various trees at Suhrawardy Udyan that flower throughout the year. "We will try to ensure that flowers bloom all the year round at Suhrawardy Udyan which will increase greenery and create that atmosphere we need," he said adding that there will also be gardeners to take care of these flowering trees. He mentioned that after constructing the infrastructures, tree plantation and setting up of rides of Shishu Park all will appreciate that a well-planned project has been done. Also read: 'Project rolled out to make March 7 venue a wonder to behold' The project director also refuted that there will be no restaurant in the area, rather there will be food kiosks. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved a mega plan of the Swadhinata Stambha construction (third phase) project in 2017. The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and the Ministry of Housing and Public Works are jointly implementing the development project worth Tk 265.44 crore. The project kicked off on 1 January 2018, with June 2022 being the completion deadline. Under the project, the government will construct a 6.5km walkway and seven food kiosks on the premises of the park. National Development Engineers Ltd has won the contract to execute the project. Under the project, the location of the historic ‘7 March Speech’ of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the place where Pakistani occupation army surrendered and other historical events of the Liberation War will be preserved Sculptures will be constructed at places where the Pakistani army surrendered to the joint force of Mukti Bahini and Indian Army and then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi delivered her speech after the Liberation War. Swadhinata Stambha plaza will be renovated and a podium for public meeting, benches and a water reservoir will be constructed. Besides, murals will be set up on the walls of Shishu Park and 13 new rides will be included in the park. Walkways are being widened so that people can walk avoiding the grass. Benches will be built for the visitors. Seven food kiosks are being built so people can enjoy good food there. There will be restrooms for men, women, children and persons with disability and  sheltering people during rain. Previously, Suhrawardy Udyan was the Race Course ground. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave his historic speech here on March7, 1971 by which he had prepared an unarmed nation for the Liberation War saying, “This time the struggle is for our freedom! This time struggle is for our independence!" Also read: The fight to save Dhaka's 'oxygen bank' The defeated Pakistan forces of the Independence War also surrendered at the Race Course ground on December 16, 1971. After independence, then Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi delivered her speech here on March 17, 1972 during her visit to Bangladesh.  The Liberation War Affairs Ministry initiated the Swadhinata Stambha (independence monument) construction project at the Suhrawardy Udyan. The Department of Architecture under the Housing and Public Works Ministry designed the third phase of the project.  Construction of various structures, including an underground parking facility for 500 vehicles, a beautiful lake surrounded by walkways, an underpass, a mosque, a children park's with the latest rides, food kiosks, a power sub-station, a sculpture of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a sculpture on the site where Pakistan forces signed the instruments of surrender and the Indira Mancha, has been underway. Construction of the first phase of the Swadhinata Stambha began at Suhrawardy Udyan in 1998, spending Tk 262.88 crore in the first and the second phases. Works including a 150-feet glass tower construction, Shikha Chironton (eternal flame) at the north end of the ground, a lake, an underground museum, installing mural on wall, an open stage in front of Bangla Academy, a new gate and the metal fence surrounding the entire ground, have been completed at Suhrawardy Udyan in various phases. Meanwhile, the Liberation War Affairs Ministry, in a press release on 5 May, said the ministry is implementing a mega plan at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan to present the actual history of the Independence War to the future generation and to the world. "Though ‘several trees’ were felled during the implementation of the mega plan at Suhrawardy Udyan, initiative has been taken to plant about 1,000 more trees," it said.

The government has rolled out a project to make Suhrawardy Udyan – where Bangabandhu had delivered his landmark March 7 speech and Pakistani occupation forces surrendered on December 16 – a wonder to behold. Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said this Saturday during a press briefing at his official residence. Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, called on everyone not to worry about the project "as the government remains alert about the environmental concerns and is going ahead with a realistic plan." Also read: The fight to save Dhaka's 'oxygen bank' Also, M Habibul Islam, project director of Shawdhinata Stambha (Independence Monument) construction project (Phase III) at the Suhrawardy Udyan, said in the evening: "The government has given priority to saving trees and not felling any tree unnecessarily while implementing the mega plan at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan. At least one thousand trees will be planted in the coming rainy season." Prime minister Sheikh Hasina approved a mega plan in 2017. The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and the Ministry of Housing and Public Works are jointly implementing the development project worth Tk265.44 crore. The project kicked off on January 1, 2018 with the deadline of June 2022. Under the project, the places of the historic March 7 Speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the places where the Pakistani occupation army surrendered and other historical events of the Liberation War took place will be preserved.

Suhrawardy Udyan is often described as Dhaka's oxygen bank due to a lush canopy of trees. But the historic park seems to be under threat, having already lost a major portion of its green cover to an ongoing redevelopment project. While authorities claim the project was undertaken to beautify Suhrawardy Udyan, citizens and green activists say trees are being chopped to make way for concrete structures on the pretext of beautification of the park. The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and the Ministry of Housing and Public Works are jointly implementing the development project worth Tk 265.44 crore. The project kicked off on 1 January 2018, with June 2022 being the completion deadline. Read Trees become victims of ‘personal feud’ in Magura Under the project, the government will construct a 6.5km walkway and seven food courts on the premises of the park. National Development Engineers Ltd has won the contract to execute the project. However, different environmental organisations and regular visitors to the park, including students of Dhaka University, have of late intensified their protest against what they claim is the destruction of the park that is home to a variety of birds and animals.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said it may be necessary to set up a diplomatic zone in Purbachal due to land crisis in Gulshan and Baridhara areas.

The government has promoted two additional secretaries to the rank of secretary and given them new postings.