Due to development projects, renovation and encroachment, the citizens are not able to take advantage of various play-grounds and parks of the capital, although the concerned authorities said these grounds and parks under renovation will be opened soon.
The renovation work of Osmani Udyan in the capital started in December 2017. In the next month, the then mayor Sayeed Khokon officially inaugurated the construction work. Initially the project was taken up at a cost of Tk 58 crore but later it was increased to Tk 86 crore by adding new plans. The project has been extended till June 2021.
After that the project added water drainage, water management and purification, the cost increased to over Tk 100 crores. During the inauguration, the mayor promised to complete the modernization phase of the park within 10 months and open it to the public. Almost five years have passed since then. The work is not finished yet. The work of this park was stopped for two years due to contracting complications.
Dupkhola field is in same condition. A market is being constructed beside this play-ground. Due to this the construction materials are kept in the field. As a result the size of the field has decreased.
A resident from that area said, "This play ground has been used for sports for many years, but now the play-ground is losing its traditional form. It is really sad to see this condition of such a traditional play-ground."
Shahbag Shishu Park has been closed for four years due to renovation. Initially, it was said that the park would be renovated and opened within a year. But Dhaka South City Corporation could not start working even after four years. As the park is closed, children and teenagers are deprived of entertainment opportunities.
Malibagh Chowdhurypara Sabuj Sangha field is about 2 bigha owned by Public Works Department. It currently houses the car garage of Ansar-VDP.
The situation is the same at Dhaka North City Corporation's Golartek play-ground. Buses, trucks, microbuses seized by Darus-Salam Police Station are in possession of a part of this field. Another part is the office of GBHB Club and Suchna Cooperative Society. Some parts have been surrounded by nets to play badminton. Children are playing in a small area.
Agradood play-ground under Pallabi Police Station is National Housing Authority’s ground. 30 katha land are allocated for this ground but currently it has only 10 kathas. A primary school, water pump and a water tank was built in other 20 katha of the field. Currently, 10 kathas are open for sport, but an influential circle is desperate to take them over.
Renovation of Kalabagan field in Dhanmondi is done. But locals said one have to be a member of Kalabagan Krira Chakra to play in this ground.
An official of the club said that the members of the club only play here. Permission must be obtained if someone from outside is going to play.
The situation is similar in other three play-grounds of Dhanmondi. Public cannot enter these grounds if they are not member.
The renovation work of Pantho Kunjo Park in the capital has stopped. A vegetable market has been installed in the Shyamoli Club field, and market has also been installed in the Iraqi play-ground. Harun Mollah Eidgah field in Mirpur was earlier a play-ground, now occupied and rented out as a warehouse for wholesale goods. Temporary shops have been set up at the New Colony ground in Lalmatia B Block. The vacant space is used as a car market on Fridays.
Navin Sangha play-ground near Karail Bosti are and T&T play-ground, Geneva camp field are occupied by drug addicts and drug dealers. Furniture is sold at Shaheed Park play-ground. Rayerbazar Boishakhi playground is covered with garbage.
Banani play-ground and Banani chairmanbari ground are used as shops and party centers with bamboo structures.
Not only these few fields and parks, many fields and parks have been closed and occupied in different ways in the name of reforms in the last two decades.
According to the information of Undivided City Corporation of Dhaka, even at the beginning of this century, there were 68 fields under the city authority. On the other hand, there are currently 53 fields and parks under the control of the two city corporations in the capital.
Apart from the fields under the two city corporations, information is available on at least 200 open spaces in Dhaka, which are used as play-ground.
Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) survey conducted in 2019. Which showed there were 235 paly-grounds in Dhaka city just few years ago. 141 of these are institutional grounds, which are located inside the institution's compound. About 50 places were privately owned. These open spaces were used as play-grounds by children. Later buildings were built in those places.
Dhaka South City Corporation CEO Farid Ahmed told Bangladesh Pratidin, “Most of our fields and parks have been renovated and opened. Some are under renovation. They will be opened soon after the work is completed.”
“There are 75 wards in Dhaka South. Our aim is to build one play-ground in every ward. We are moving towards that goal,” he said.
On the issue of Osmani park Farid Ahmed said, “The contract with the contractor has been cancelled. We will call for a new tender.”
Mohammad Abul Kashem, executive engineer of environment, climate change & disaster management Department, Dhaka North City Corporation said, “There are 22 parks and play-grounds in Dhaka North City Corporation. Among them 18 parks and 4 fields. Of the 18 parks, 15 renovations have been completed. The remaining three are under renovation. And out of four fields, three have been renovated, one is under renovation.”
@The artcile appeared on print of The Bangladesh Pratidin on October 15, 2022 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan.
