The joint forces and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Tecchnology (Buet) today starts conducting a survey in Hatirjheel and Begunbari canal area in the capital for construction of a connecting road between Rampura bridge and Panthapath under a Tk 1,474 crore project.
Two storm water retention ponds will also be dug -- one near Sonargaon Hotel and the other in Hatirjheel area -- under the project approved by the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec).
"A joint team of the law enforcers and Buet visited the area yesterday in preparation for the survey needed to design the road and ponds," said Haider Ali, director of the project, scheduled to be completed within 30 months.
The project --Integrated development project of Hatirjheel and Begunbari area -- is being funded by the government. Of the project cost, Tk crore 550.52 will be paid simply through by book transfer for government land acquisition. And Tk 459.48 crore will be spent for acquiring 111 acres of private land for the project Ecnec approved on October 10, sources said.
Under the supervision of housing and public works ministry, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), Water and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) and Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED) will implement the project with the help of Buet and joint forces.
It is a much-talked-about issue for long that Hatirjheel and Begunbari canals must be saved to protect the capital from inundation as these form the lone natural drainage system for storm water.
But over the years, various private organisations, influential locals and also government institutions have built structures on the canals choking and making those vulnerable.
According to a Rajuk survey, there are more than 1,200 illegal establishments in the canal area.
Local Government and Rural Development Adviser Anwarul Iqbal recently said all illegal establishments including Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) building will be demolished. "Whatever structures are built without approval in Begunbari and Hatirjheel area will be demolished," he told a meeting at the ministry.
At the meeting, he also directed Rajuk officials not to approve any new structures in the area. From now on, things will be done keeping in view the vital project, he noted.
Officials of Rajuk and LGED said the storm retention pond near Sonargaon Hotel will be a 5,03,904-square metre one.
The LGED will build a 11 km road on both sides of the canals. It will also build a 320-metre connecting bridge between the two roads, a 250-metre overpass and a 14- km long walkway.
Wasa will build a 6.8-km storm sewerage line, two km pipe drain, four km main sewerage line and two lift stations to drain out water.