Dredging begins to restore Dhanmondi Lake, Nazrul Sarobar planned

Photo - Collected

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has begun dredging and redevelopment work at Dhanmondi Lake to address navigability problems and improve its environment, with a 75 crore taka master plan that includes the construction of a "Nazrul Sarobar" modelled on Rabindra Sarobar.

Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister and local lawmaker Shaikh Rabiul Alam and DSCC Administrator Freedom Fighter Md. Abdus Salam inaugurated the dredging work on Tuesday morning.

DSCC said the lake covers about 86 acres and was developed in the 1960s using the remains of the old Pandu River. Water bodies currently cover about 55 acres.

About 1,62,534 cubic metres of accumulated mud and waste, or sludge, will be removed from the 3.10-km-long lake, which has an average width of 56 metres.

The initial dredging project is expected to take about a year and cost 26 crore taka. Two floating excavators and four barges will be used to remove about 700 cubic metres of waste each day.

At the inauguration, Sheikh Robiul Alam said the overall development and management of Dhanmondi Lake had been one of his electoral promises.

"The Prime Minister has approved two projects regarding this, as the first phase of which the lake's sludge removal work began today. The entire lake will be renovated according to the detailed design," he said.

He urged visitors and local residents to help protect the lake's environment.

DSCC Administrator Md. Abdus Salam said water purification, bank protection, sidewall renovation, walkway modernisation and expansion, beautification and lighting would begin after the lakebed was cleared.

"The roads, footpaths, and overall infrastructure of the entire Dhanmondi area will be arranged, including speedboats facilities for children. Besides, an open modern cultural and entertainment center named 'Nazrul Sarobar' will be developed here like Rabindra Sarobar," he said.

DSCC said the redevelopment would include a modern drainage system, renovated walkways, lighting and improved security.

The planned facilities include three floating decks, kiosks, a modern gym, cafeteria, badminton courts, an open gymnasium and parking.

A specialised "Tree Hospital" for plant treatment, safe drinking water, public toilets, CCTV cameras and an announcement system will also be installed.

A key attraction, "Nazrul Chattar" or "Bidrohi Chattar", will be built near Dhanmondi's Roads 13/A and 8/A, opposite the Kabi Nazrul Institute.

The cultural space, covering about 51 katha of land, will include an open amphitheatre, green room, book corner highlighting the life and literary works of poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, a library, plaza, lake ghat and urban forest.

A restaurant and cafe serving the poet's favourite foods will also be built for visitors.

DSCC said the main lake redevelopment and construction of Nazrul Sarobar would be carried out simultaneously after the lakebed was cleared of sludge.