Uttara Lake is a lake in Uttara Model Town, a neighborhood in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It flows from the area between sector 9 and 11 to the area between sector 3 and 5.[1][2]
| Uttara Lake | |
|---|---|
 Uttara Lake in 2012 | |
| Location | Uttara |
| Coordinates | 23°52′19″N 90°23′38″E / 23.8719655°N 90.3938448°E |
| Type | Artificial |
| Basin countries | Bangladesh |
| Settlements | Dhaka |
This 3-kilometer-long lake is divided into three sections and crosses the Sonargaon Janapath street, stretching north to Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College and south to the area near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.[3][4]
Issues
editThis lake is considered to be in the worst condition among the city’s lakes. Due to the negligence of the authorities, its beauty is gradually deteriorating.[5] Additionally, the construction of commercial structures by filling parts of the lake has put its existence at risk.[1] Continuous pollution and encroachment have caused parts of the lake to disappear.[6]
Renovation
edit
Due to issues such as narrow sections of the 100-meter-wide lake, broken embankments obstructing pathways around it, accumulated garbage, and water pollution, the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha decided to renovate the lake in 2013. The renovation project included rebuilding two bridges, constructing a culvert across the Sonargaon Janapath, creating and preserving walkways along the lake, removing waste, and dredging the lake. Although a budget of ৳373.2 million was allocated in 2014 with a two-year timeline for completion, the master plan was prepared during the 2016–2017 fiscal year, and renovation work officially began in November 2017. However, in 2018, authorities decided on a new renovation project worth ৳20.80 billion, which included additional features such as public toilets, a water deck, a hanging deck, a gymnasium, fountains, drinking water facilities, and an open stage.[3] Later, the new plan was scrapped, and the completion of the original renovation project was set for 2019. Due to delays, the timeline was extended by another year. By 2020, 20% of the renovation work was still incomplete, leading to an increase in the project cost to ৳949.8 million and an extended timeline until 2023.[7] The project was later scaled down to include only embankment stabilization and dredging to increase the lake's depth. Following recommendations from the consulting firm Data Expert Limited, concrete blocks were used to pave the lakebed and embankments. The timeline was further extended to June 2025.[8] In 2024, allegations were made against the renovation contractor, Convoice, for illegally selling excavated soil from the lake.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b Mahmud, Abu Hayat (26 August 2013). "Land grabbers desecrate lake in Uttara". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ "উত্তরার লেকে 'বিষ দিয়ে' মাছ নিধন". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 12 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ a b Hossain, Saddam (15 October 2018). "নতুন রূপে সাজবে উত্তরা লেক". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ "বদলে যাবে উত্তরার লেক". Jugantor (in Bengali). 22 January 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ "উদাসীনতায় হারিয়ে যাচ্ছে নয়নাভিরাম উত্তরা লেক". Bangladesh Pratidin (in Bengali). 25 November 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)[dead link] - ^ Muhib, Abu Hena (1 August 2022). "উত্তরা লেক কবে হবে দখলমুক্ত". Samakal (in Bengali). Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ "উত্তরা লেক উন্নয়নে দেড়শ শতাংশ ব্যয় বৃদ্ধি". Banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 17 April 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ Islam, Md. Zahidul (28 September 2024). "'খোদিত পাষাণ': উত্তরা লেক নিষ্প্রাণ করা হচ্ছে কংক্রিট দিয়ে". The Business Standard (in Bengali). Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ Parveen, Nargis (31 January 2024). "উত্তরায় লেক উন্নয়ন কাজে অনিয়ম, ট্রাক চাপায় শ্রমিক নিহত". Daily Sokaler Somoy (in Bengali). Retrieved 22 November 2024.