The Hatirjheel-Begunbari integrated project was a “new year gift” to the people, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, while inaugurating the project on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister thanked all those connected with the project , that is spread through 302 acres of land, aimed at facilitating connectivity between eastern and western Dhaka.
” This project would be a leading example both within Bangladesh and outside, because we have been able to complete this successfully without any foreign assistance,” she said..
She recalled numerous other proposals for the area during her previous tenure (1996-2001) that were cancelled due to water-logging concerns. The Prime MInister said steps were being taken for rehabilitation of those affected by the project.
Earlier in the day, she unveiled the project's plaque on Wednesday morning, after driving through the area to get a first hand feel of the project Later she was welcomed on stage to slogans of 'Joi Bangla'.
Hatirjheel-Begunbari integrated project
The Hatirjheel-Begunbari project, stretching from Hotel Sonargaon to Bansree, was taken up in 2007, during the last caretaker government's time with an outlay of Tk20 million – 93 percent of which was funded by the government.
A lake flows through the heart of the integrated project. A 16-kilometre road has been built beside the lake for traffic, connecting four big and four small bridges (viaducts) and as many overpasses for pedestrians.
Boat rides are available and facilities are there for small scale family picnics.
Prof Shamsul Haq, a transport expert with the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), told bdnews24.com that the project would reduce the city's nagging snarls to some extent.
Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha, or the Capital Development Authority, 16 Engineering Construction Battalion of Army, Dhaka WASA and the LGED jointly implemented the project with BUET as its consultant.
The Integrated Development Project (Amendment) in Hatirjheel area under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works was approved on Dec 28, 2008 at the last meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) during the last caretaker government.
Source: Bd News24