Decay of Hatirjheel project
For several years now, the Hatirjheel project has been slowly declining in character from what was considered a classic example of environmental restoration to another urban wasteland. A photograph published in The Daily Star on November 18 depicts a dismal picture of the polluted, sewerage-ridden water body near Tongi Diversion Road.
When the project was inaugurated in 2013, it was an admirable step taken to resolve the drainage problem of the city. But only a few months after inauguration, the project began to lose its charm because of Dhaka's poor waste management system. Dumping of solid waste and outflow of sewage into the lake have created environmental hazards for the residents of the area for quite some time now. The waste management system in a growing city is a challenge that must be planned well in line with the city's expansion. The current state of the Hatirjheel project is yet another example of poor urban planning.
What was originally the largest surface freshwater body in the capital is fast becoming the largest polluted water body of the city. There is no time to waste on deliberations anymore. Urgent action must be taken to control the situation before it gets further out of hand. We urge that this matter be treated with serious concern and appropriate bodies i.e. WASA and Rajuk, immediately take all necessary measures to arrest the situation.
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