Dhaka Bureau: Dhaka North City Corporation has undertaken a new plan around the capital’s Kalyanpur Retention Pond to eliminate waterlogging. An initiative has been taken to build a water-centric ecopark around this reservoir. In the meantime, the illegal construction has been evicted. DNCC said that after the completion of the entire work, waterlogging will be eliminated in Mohammadpur, Mirpur, Kalyanpur, Sheorapara, and Kazipara during the monsoon season.
DNCC officials said that the area of the Kalyanpur retention pond (reservoir) is about 53 acres. A gang had illegally occupied this place for ages and built a settlement. Recently, the squatters were evicted by mobile courts. Now preparations are underway for the construction of the Hydro Ecopark at that place. The reservoir near the embankment in the Gaidartek area of Gabtali is known as the Kalyanpur Retention Pond area. Rainwater from various areas, including Mohammadpur, Adabar, Shyamoli, Kalyanpur, Mirpur, Dhanmondi, and other areas, accumulates in this reservoir (retention pond). Later, water is removed from the reservoir by means of pumps. Dhaka WASA handed over the ownership of this reservoir to DNCC two years ago.
After getting the land, DNCC took the initiative to build a hydro-ecopark around the reservoir to enhance the beauty of the city. Accordingly, the organization is working on the design with the consulting firm. They want to complete the Ecopark’s construction within the next two years. At present, illegal structures have been removed from around the reservoir. The engineering department of DNCC has cleared the garbage from the reservoir with vechus.
According to the project sources, various development works are planned for the project. These would include—walkways, cycle lanes, butterfly and bird parks, agricultural gardens, canal bank development, children’s play areas, flood mitigation measures, waste disposal and management (drainage systems and waste disposal points with reservoirs), density relief, or Create an open environment. There will be a biodiversity island and a beekeeping center. Floating restaurants and food huts. Padma Pond, footbridge, and seating kiosk There will be a training center, a multi-purpose conference center, and an exhibition hall. There will be a solar aquatic treatment plant, a park, etc.
In this regard, DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam said, a recreation center can be built around the Kalyanpur Reservoir; no one could have thought of this before. Now the work is going on to build the park. There are various challenges to be faced while doing this. But no obstacle can stop our work.
He said this ecopark will be for people of all ages. All facilities for children, women, men, and senior citizens will be there. We will build a city around the reservoir. The Prime Minister has made Hatirjheel a project in Dhaka city. We will also build a nature-based ecopark in Kalyanpur.
He said rainwater goes to Kalyanpur Retention Pond from five canals. As much as it rains, the water will go into this retention pond. After that, I will pump it into the Turag River. There will be no flooding in the area. In reality, if it cannot be fixed, then Mohammadpur, Mirpur, Kalyanpur, Sheorapara, and Kazipara will be submerged in water. The bigger the ecopark, the more benefits the local people will get.
