Dhanmondi Lake dev gains pace with dredging work

Dredging of Dhanmondi Lake began on Tuesday as part of a Tk26 crore development initiative aimed at restoring its water-holding capacity, improving the surrounding environment and creating better facilities for public use.

Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam inaugurated the dredging work, saying the initiative would benefit both local residents and people across Dhaka.

Describing the development and beautification of Dhanmondi Lake as one of his election pledges, Rabiul said the historic water body had long been the subject of demands for development and modernisation.

“Dhanmondi Lake is a familiar and historic water body for the people of Dhaka…Demands for its development, beautification and modernisation had continued for years,” he said.

The minister said Tk26 crore had initially been allocated for the lake’s development after he made a request to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman during the election period.

The allocation will be used to dredge and beautify about 3.5 kilometres of the lake.

Rabiul said long-accumulated sludge from the lakebed would be removed under the dredging work, with the project targeting the removal of around 700 cubic metres of sludge every day.

The dredging is expected to increase the lake’s water-holding capacity and help restore its natural water flow and ecological balance, he said.

The minister said two projects had been undertaken for the development of the lake.

A detailed design has also been prepared to make the area more accessible and attractive for long-term public use, including facilities for recreation and physical exercise, he added.

The development plan includes improvements to walkways and the construction of a library, gymnasium and Nazrul Mancha.

Once completed, the lake is expected to serve not only as a water body but also as an important destination for walking, exercise, recreation and cultural activities, Rabiul said.

Rabiul stressed that development must go hand in hand with environmental conservation, saying Dhanmondi Lake should be preserved as an important green and open space in the densely populated capital.

“Beautification alone is not enough…Local residents must also come forward to help maintain it. Otherwise, the improvements will not last long,” he said.

He urged city dwellers and visitors not to throw waste into the lake, saying maintaining its cleanliness and beauty was a shared responsibility between the authorities and citizens.

The minister said the project was important not only for Dhanmondi residents but also for Dhaka as a whole, as open water bodies and green spaces provide relief and recreational opportunities in the densely populated city.

He called for coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to ensure the lake’s development, conservation and proper management.

Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator and freedom fighter Abdus Salam attended the event as the special guest.

Relevant officials, local representatives and residents were also present.