The Gulshan-Banani-Baridhara Lake Development Project has failed to achieve its objectives even after 16 years, despite spending more than Tk500 crore.
An intensive monitoring report prepared by the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) of the Planning Ministry on 30 June highlighted a number of irregularities and shortcomings in the project.
The project, implemented by the Capital Development Authority (Rajuk), was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) in July 2010 with an estimated cost of Tk410.25 crore and a completion deadline of June 2013.
After more than a decade, the project was revised in 2025, increasing the cost to Tk555.31 crore and extending the completion deadline to December 2026.
However, as of May this year, physical progress stood at 82 percent, while financial progress was only 56 percent, indicating that the project is unlikely to be completed on time.
According to the IMED report, land acquisition of 10.75 acres remained stalled due to three writ petitions. Although the legal cases have been resolved, poor coordination between the Deputy Commissioner’s office and the project office has delayed progress. Many landowners have yet to receive compensation.
The report also identified several irregularities in procurement. It alleged that similar works were awarded at different rates, work orders were issued without re-tendering, and competitive procurement procedures were not properly followed for works worth around Tk35 crore.
The report also raised allegations against the Rajuk chairman, saying he approved a tender worth Tk2.46 crore and a contract variation worth Tk4.90 crore beyond his financial authority, in violation of public procurement rules.
Of the project’s 23 audit objections, 14 remain unresolved. These involve alleged financial irregularities and losses exceeding Tk176 crore.
The report notes audit objections worth Tk 52.39 crore in FY2012-13, Tk 58.09 crore in the following fiscal year, and nearly Tk 60 crore in FY2015-16. In FY2018-19, additional irregularities worth around Tk5.82 crore were identified over road repairs, lake excavation, excess compaction charges and excess payments to consultants.
The report says the project’s environmental objectives have also fallen short. Untreated sewage and drainage waste continue to flow directly into the lake from seven locations in the Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara areas. The lack of an alternative drainage system has resulted in water pollution and foul odours.
Although laboratory tests found eight water quality indicators to be within acceptable limits, the report says the water remains murky and polluted. Poor maintenance has allowed silt, plastic and household waste to accumulate, obstructing water flow.
The project included the construction of about 2.5 kilometres of walkways and lake drive. However, several sections have deteriorated due to poor maintenance. Some areas lack railings, while others have inadequate lighting.
Local residents told IMED that the absence of security guards has made parts of the lake vulnerable to drug users, muggers and other anti-social activities at night. The report also says biodiversity conservation has fallen short because of inadequate planting of native tree species.
According to IMED, no comprehensive feasibility study was conducted before the project began. Although the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) later prepared a master plan, many of its key recommendations were not incorporated into the project.
The report also says the monitoring system remained largely limited to paperwork, with little effective field-level supervision.
Responding to the findings, current Project Director and Rajuk Superintending Engineer Saber Ahmed told TIMES of Bangladesh that most of the irregularities mentioned in the report dated back many years.
“Most of these issues are old. They are already under audit observation, and the process of resolving them is ongoing,” he said.
He also said the project had been delayed for years because of litigation over land acquisition.
On the lake’s continued pollution and foul smell, Ahmed said, “The project was not designed to address these issues on such a large scale. Discussions are underway.”
He added that Rajuk is planning a new project to address the remaining environmental issues and other outstanding problems affecting the lake.
