Pollution, foul odour make Hatirjheel a turn-off for visitors, commuters

Newlywed couple Mahin and Arpana came to Hatirjheel from Dhanmondi, hoping for a peaceful weekend escape from Dhaka's chaos. Boarding a water bus from the FDC terminal to Police Plaza, they expected a serene ride – but the moment they hopped on the boat, both were seen covering their noses with handkerchiefs.

"We thought we'd spend some time close to nature," said Arpana. "But the smell is unbearable; it's hard to even breathe here."

Her husband, Mahin, said, "It's frustrating. We came for peace, but the filth and stench have ruined everything. It's heartbreaking to see Hatirjheel in this state."

Once a symbol of urban beauty, Hatirjheel has now become a dumping ground for garbage and foul odour. Experts say design flaws in the project's drainage system lie at the heart of the problem, while Rajuk claims regular cleanup drives are not enough to offset the constant inflow of sewage from surrounding areas.

Water bus service losing passengers

Just a few years ago, Hatirjheel's four terminals used to serve nearly 50,000 passengers a day. Today, the number has dropped to around 20,000 — a 60% decline. According to operators, pollution and the overwhelming stench are driving commuters away.

"Engines often break down because plastic and waste get stuck in them," said one water bus driver. "Food packets, bottles, and garbage floating on the lake constantly jam the propellers. Every trip is a struggle."

Nishat Rahman, a resident of Banani, said, "I used to come here with friends for evening walks. The air around the lake felt refreshing. Now, it's impossible to stand here even for a few minutes. The smell is suffocating."

"There's plastic, food waste, and all sorts of garbage floating in the water. The place once known for calm reflections now looks more like a city dumping spot," he added.

During a recent visit, it was found that dirty water continuously flows into Hatirjheel through drains connected to Gulshan Lake, Karwan Bazar, and Begunbari. Floating garbage, household waste, and plastic bottles cover much of the lake surface, while waves from water taxis spread the stench further into nearby walkways and residential areas.

In several sections — FDC Mor, Begunbari, Niketan, and Rampura — the lake water has turned black, with layers of green algae and foamy residue floating on top.

The Hatirjheel Development Project, inaugurated in 2013 at a cost of Tk 2,000 crore, aimed to create a modern recreational and transport hub in the heart of the capital. Initially maintained by the Bangladesh Army, responsibility shifted to Rajuk in June 2021.

Despite an annual maintenance budget of over Tk10 crore, water quality continues to deteriorate.

Experts attribute this failure to the sewage connection to the lake.

Prof Ahmed Kamruzzaman, chairman of Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies, told The Business Standard, "Hatirjheel was well-designed, but a major mistake was connecting sewage lines directly to the lake. Over 40 outlets from city drains now discharge waste into the water, causing severe microbial contamination."

He added that engine oil from boats and waste from surrounding restaurants further aggravate the problem.

"To fix this, integrated environmental assessments must be carried out every three to six months under the Department of Environment's supervision," he said. Water parameters like dissolved oxygen and biological oxygen demand need regular monitoring," Kamruzzaman said.

He warned that toxic air from polluted water could spread diseases in nearby areas, emphasising the need to disconnect all sewage lines and strengthen waste management immediately.

Rajuk's response

Md Nurul Islam, Rajuk's Chief Engineer, told TBS, "We conduct regular cleaning drives, but the main problem is the city's drainage network. Many drain lines are still connected directly to the lake, allowing wastewater to flow in."

He added, "We've already held meetings with Dhaka city authorities to plan joint action and find a long-term solution."