When Dhaka South City Corporation inaugurated the renovation work of Osmani Udyan in January 2018 with a promise to complete it by 10 months, it was hailed by residents.

Three years later, the renovation work is yet to be completed due to repeated changes in plans and slow progress of work, said experts.

According to Dhaka South City Corporation, this seemingly "never-ending" project will drag on for another six months as they are "hopeful" to open the park in July this year.

They, however, could not say for sure when the work will finally finish.

More alarmingly, as part of the renovation, an underground parking space would be built inside the park. As a result, the project deadline has been extended till June this year and the cost will increase to accommodate that, they said.

Experts, however, questioned as to why such establishment is necessary inside a park as it will shrink public space.

Notices hang on the pillar and entrance, reminding that it’s been three years but the work is yet to be completed. PHOTO: PALASH KHAN

OSMANI UDYAN

Nestled between the secretariat and Nagar Bhaban, this park is named after General Muahammad Ataul Gani Osmani, the commander-in-chief of Bangladesh forces during the Liberation War.

It is divided into 11 sectors, as a tribute to the country's forces that were divided in 11 divisions designated as sectors.

The 29-acre green sanctuary has a number of rare trees and plants of different shapes and sizes, two small lakes and islands made of sand along with walkways, sculptures, auditorium.

One of its major attractions is Mughal-era cannon "Bibi Mariam" commissioned by Emperor Aurangzeb's trusted general Mir Jumla II to protect Dhaka -- the 17th-century capital of Bengal -- from raids by bandits.

DSCC is now custodian of the park.

DEADLINE KEEPS ON GETTING EXTENDED

According to the city corporation, at first, the project deadline got extended in 2019 and the cost escalated from Tk 54 crore to Tk 89 crore for additional works like setting up food courts, museum, library and better drainage system.

Then last year, DSCC Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said they will set up an underground parking space inside the park, which will be able to accommodate around 200 cars.

Now, the project deadline has been extended till June 2021.

However, sources at the city corporation said they will not be able to meet the project deadline as work for the proposed underground parking has not even started yet.

WHAT URBAN PLANNERS SAY

Adil Mohammad Khan, general secretary of Bangladesh Institute of Planners, said the renovation process since the first development project proposal (DPP) has not been shared with professionals or public.

Therefore, analyses of the proposed design could not be done by professionals, which is an obligatory process before implementing any planning project, he said.

In addition, delay in implementation is leading to not only extra spending of public money, but also depriving people of civic amenities for over two years, he added.

He also said the additional structures would occupy considerable amount of space inside the park, which is against the maximum allowable establishment space limit inside a park or public place, according to the country's existing planning rules and regulations.

Architect Iqbal Habib, joint secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon, said the law stipulates that structures should not occupy more than five percent of a park's total area.

"But they are building structures on around 12-13 percent area of the park, which will shrink free public space," said Habib.

He also spoke against the construction of a parking space inside the park. "To accommodate it, they will have to cut a number of 40 to 50-year-old trees. Besides, the parking ramp would also consume considerable amount of space," said Habib.

He said library, museum and parking space are not normally associated with a park.

A walkway being constructed inside the park. These photos were taken recently. PHOTO: PALASH KHAN

WHAT PROJECT DESIGNER SAYS

Contacted, architect Md Rafiq Azam, principal designer of the project, said they have taken an "innovative" approach of keeping the green top intact while designing the underground parking.

About the need of such parking space, he said, "Every day 30 to 40 cars park here while many keep their vehicles next to the park. You have to provide parking facilities and this a common trend worldwide."

Regarding such structures taking up more space inside the park, he said those are being set up for the benefit of people.

About not sharing the proposed design for analyses, Azam said if experts indeed have an issue, they can discuss it.

The underground parking will be like an exhibition gallery with paintings by renowned painters. The upper level will be completely green for people to walk around, he assured.

He also said they will plant at least double the amount of trees they would have to fell for renovation works.

"We did not cut any existing tree so far except some weeds. We will construct the parking space near the road for which we may have to cut some 30 small trees," he said.

"We are also planting 60 trees. We will plant trees like Krishnachura and Radhachura. Also, the 6 percent space used for parking will be covered by grass and large trees," he assured.

He said it is important to make the park useful for people as it used to be occupied by drug addicts and vagabonds.

The principal designer said the maximum length and width of the parking would be 450ft and 120ft respectively.

About the museum, he said it will depict both the old and new Dhaka.

WORK GOES ON AT SNAIL'S PACE

During a recent visit, this correspondent saw that the development work was ongoing. Even though the main structure was almost completed, the work was progressing at a slow pace.

Architect Md Rafiq Azam said the contracting company was not doing their job properly, for which the work was going on very slowly.

Asked, Ariful Haque, executive director of the project construction company -- The Builders Engineers, said they are not solely responsible for the delay, rather it was a collective failure.

"The structural part of a project is more challenging than the architectural portion. Besides, the pandemic has also slowed down our work progress," said Ariful, adding that they are hopeful of completing the project by June.

Regarding the delay, DSCC Executive Engineer Tanveer Ahmed said it was due to changes in the design. He said walkway, lake development, boundary wall and landscaping works were in the initial design.

"But the design has been revised to remove the boundary walls, setting up food courts, drainage system, inter-connectivity between two lakes, developing recreational facilities on the banks of the lakes, museum and library," said Tanveer.

He claimed that 70 percent work has been completed so far and blamed the pandemic for the slow development of it. Besides, delay in fund allocation from the government hindered the progress, he added.

Tanveer said they were yet to finalise the budget for the underground parking.

Contacted, Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said one of the main reasons for the delay was that the project was revised twice. The revised proposal has been approved by the LGRD ministry and Ecnec, he said.

Taposh said since taking charge as mayor, he has been trying to speed up the works.

"Still, there are some differences between how the work progresses during a pandemic situation or normal time. But I hope this project will be completed by June," the mayor said.

'NOT THE FIRST TIME'

The Osmani Udyan has survived threats to its greenery in the past.

In 1999, there was a move to set up an international conference centre there by felling around 11,000 trees, according to media reports published at the time.

Eminent personalities including poet Shamsur Rahman, Prof Anisur Rahman and Badruddin Umar, politicians, teachers, journalists and people from all walks of life protested the move.

United, they held numerous rallies and human chains, mass signature campaigns and submitted memorandums to authorities concerned, and eventually the move to set up the centre was cancelled and the trees were saved.