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Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has again revised the cost of its park and playground modernisation project and extended its duration on grounds of design change and various complications that arose during the rehabilitation process.
The initial cost of the project taken up for upgrading 19 parks and 12 playgrounds was Tk 2.0 billion. Later, the cost was revised up to Tk 2.43 billion and the project was supposed to be completed by June 2019.
DSCC project director Engineer Asaduzzaman told the FE recently that the project cost would be revised up to Tk 3.43 billion and duration be extended up to December 2019.
The tenure of the project, which was approved in 2016 and launched in 2017, may be extended again.
He, however, expressed the hope that most of the work on the park and playground revamp would be completed by 2019.
"We completed about 70 per cent upgrading work on the parks and playgrounds until May 2019. The time has been extended as there is change in the designs while we are facing various difficulties in removing people from surrounding areas," said Mr Asaduzzaman.
Citing an example, he said there are 43 shops around Golapbagh playground.
"Besides, the reason for time extension is that we are exchanging views with the consultants, local people, lawmakers and media."
DSCC Mayor Sayeed Khokon at his fourth anniversary programme claimed that 80 per cent development work had been completed while some parks and playgrounds were already opened to public.
Regarding widespread allegations about lack of transparency and irregularities, Mr Asaduzzaman said fencing around the parks and playgrounds which keep people away and make those less visible is due to safety and it ensures an working environment there.
Various quarters have alleged that the authority is much interested in building concrete structures in the open spaces like parks and playgrounds.
But Mr Asaduzzaman trashed the allegations, saying that DSCC wants to keep minimum metal coverage at parks and playgrounds.
The playgrounds have been upgraded to international standards where there will be greengrass but no mud. There are toilet facilities, walkways, ladies' and children's corners, cafeteria in the parks while gymnasiums will be constructed at the playgrounds.
Planners say the playgrounds are part of the physical and social activities for children and young people. There should not be any gym. The parks should have maximum open spaces and little concrete structure.
Regarding allegations against the consultants, Architect Iqbal Habib, who represents Vitti, one of the three consulting firms, told the FE that there was a philosophical consensus to build 4-6 per cent new structures. There will be 85 per cent topsoil. About 10 per cent will be kept for walkway and resting place, he added.
He, however, mentioned that the concrete structure is huge at the Anger Management Park at Osmani Udyan along with shopping malls.
But most of the parks and playgrounds under Vitti have been revamped, maintaining their original character, he added.
DSCC decided to make all parks and playgrounds under its jurisdiction off-limits to any sort of public gathering, including political rallies and religious or social programmes, once the development work that started recently is finished.
The DSCC mayor inaugurated the project at the city's Golapbagh playground in October 2017 as a component of 'Jol Sobujer Dhaka' project (upgrading, regeneration and greening of urban open spaces).
The cost of 'Jol Sobujer Dhaka' project was Tk 12.01 billion. It was revised up to Tk 12.16 billion and later to Tk 17.16 billion.
The project includes roads and drainage development, 11 cleaner colonies, two slaughterhouses, six footbridges, three graveyards, one mosque and LED light installation.
The parks under the project are Gulistan Park, Motijheel Park, Jatrabari Chowrasta Park, Sirajuddoula Park, Sikkatuly Park, Malitola Park, Bangshal Park, and Mayor Mohammad Sayeed Khokon Park, also known as Sharafatganj Park.
The other playgrounds set for undergoing facelift are Kalabagan playground, Basabo playground, Sadeque Hossain Khoka playground, Delowar Hossain playground, Amligola playground, Shahid Nagar Mini Stadium, Balurghat playground, Shahid Abdul Alim playground, Samsabad playground and Bangladesh Maath.
DSCC officials said Farmgate Park, Suhrawardy Udyan, Chandrima Udyan, Ramna Park and Muktangon have also been brought under this initiative.