Why is Anwara Park still occupied?
It is disappointing that the metro rail authority's installations and equipment have yet to be removed from the Shaheed Anwara Park in the capital's Farmgate area. Since 2018, the park has been used by the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) as a project site office and storage area for construction materials. Initially, it was agreed that the park would be restored to its original condition upon completion of rail construction. However, in 2023, DMTCL announced plans to construct an on-site station plaza, including shops, hotels, restaurants, entertainment centres, and so on.
Naturally, the announcement came as a shock, forcing urban planners, environmental activists, and local residents to launch a protest movement. In December, three advisers from the interim government met with the protesters. During the meeting, it was assured that all the installations and equipment at the park would be removed by March 26. However, more than two weeks have passed since the deadline, but that promise still remains unfulfilled. Moreover, the government had pledged that the park would be restored, re-greened, and reopened to the public. This is critically important given Dhaka's current state, where green spaces are rapidly disappearing, leaving few parks or playgrounds available.
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According to urban planners and environmental activists, the metro installations and equipment currently occupying the park could be cleared within a week if the will existed. Even if twice that time were required, there can be no justifiable reason for the delay in clearing the site and reopening it to the public. What is equally concerning is that the authorities have offered no clear explanation for the delay being caused. Speaking to Prothom Alo, Fauzul Kabir Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, said he had consulted the relevant officials, claiming that some remaining work in the park was yet to be completed. They are now saying that the western part of the park will be vacated by June.
This is unacceptable. The authorities must understand that seven years have already passed since the park was closed. So, they must expedite the efforts to clear the park of all stored materials, proceed with restoring it as promised, and reopen it to the public at the earliest opportunity. The lack of importance placed by the authorities on preserving open spaces and parks in Dhaka must also change.
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