Hatirjheel

Hatirjheel
হাতিরঝিল
Public Transportation

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A beautiful view of the second bridge of Hatirjheel
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Map of Hatirjheel and its surrounding areas
Coordinates: 23°44′58.47″N 90°23′48.35″W / 23.7495750°N 90.3967639°W
Country Bangladesh
Inaugurated in January 2, 2013
Founded by Sheikh Hasina
Area
 • Total 122 ha (302 acres)
Hatirjheel at Night
Bridges in Hatirjheel

Hatirjheel (Bengali: হাতিরঝিল; Bengali pronunciation: [ɦat̪ir dʒʱil], English /ˈhɑːtiːˌdʒhɪl/; also known as Hatirjheel-Begunbari) is a large area situated at the heart of the capital city of Bangladesh, Dhaka. This was mainly created for public transportation. It was inaugurated on January 2, 2013. Hatirjheel made transportation much easier for the people living near Tejgaon, Gulshan, Badda, Rampura, Mouchak and Maghbazar. The whole area was constructed and built by the Bangladesh army, 'Special Works Organization' (SWO). This project was primarily created for accumulating rainwater, for preventing flood, reducing the rate of impure water, and above all for moderating traffic jam. It has taken 5 years to complete the project. Many people come from different countries and domestic areas of Bangladesh to visit the site.

Description

Building the entire site cost 19.71 billion (19710 million) taka in an area of 302 acres.[1] In it 10.48 billion (10480 million) taka was spent in having the site. RAJUK has 46% of the area which includes an area of 81 acres to court of walks, 141 acres for public lands and 1 acre for BTV. The project first permitted in October 2007. The project was said to be finished in three years time (in June 2010), but the construction began in December 2008. It took further half year time for expanding it. The total money to create the project included the money of RAJUK (1113.7 billion taka), LGED (2760 million) and WASA (866.95 million).[2]

The entire Hatirjheel is meticulously designed with about four main and four minor bridges (viaducts) and several overpasses for pedestrians. There are also many sitting arrangements for pedestrians by the river-side. A lake flows through the heart of the project with a 16 km road beside the lake for traffic. Besides, it has a picturesque view, and people from all over the Bangladesh comes to see this amazing place. Boat rides are available and facilities are there for small scale family picnics. At night, lights of different colours illuminate the entire Hatirjheel, especially on the bridges. The area has been delightfully decorated with flowering shrubs and colourful flags. Once completed, the project became a place for the pleasure-seekers. As Dhaka is densely populated, and is occupied with numerous congested buildings, resulting a suffocating environment due to the shortage of fresh air, but conveniently Hatirjheel has lots of spaces to contain fresh air, as a result the people could visit and feel the fresh air. Furthermore, Hatirjheel is considered to be one of the most notable places in Dhaka.

History

Legend has it that the elephants of Dhaka's Pilkhana used to take bath in these wetlands – there the name comes Hatirjheel.

Urban planner, architect Iqbal Habib, who heads the consultant firm of the Hatirjheel-Begunbari development project, said that the Bhawal Raja used to keep his tamed elephants at Pilkhana.

He said that the elephants were taken to the wetlands through the Elephant Road and Hatirpool.

Location

Hatirjheel is located at the centre of the capital city, Dhaka. It has a latitude of 23.7495747 and a longitude of 90.3967635. In other words, the Hatirjheel has a coordinate of 23°44′58.47″N 90°23′48.35″W / 23.7495750°N 90.3967639°W.[3] The place is surrounded by Tejgaon, Gulshan, Badda, Rampura, Niketon, Maghbazar etc., and it made the transportation of the people living near these areas much easier. The location of Hatirjheel is perfect for the transportation system.

Inauguration

The Hatirjheel-Begunbari project was inaugurated in January 2, 2013 by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at 11 o'clock at morning. Right before the inauguration the Prime Minister had a look all around the Hatirjheel. The Hatirjheel project opened for the use of general people after the inauguration. As Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, it was a new year gift to the people, while inaugurating the project on Wednesday.

On the occasion of the inauguration, Hatirjheel had been decorated with multi-coloured flowers and flattering flags of different hues. In the evening of the inaugural day the city dwellers viewed a spectacular display of fireworks in the vicinity of the project. The Hatirjheel-Begunbari project stretches from Sonargaon Hotel all the way to Banasree.

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ bdnews24.com
  2. ↑ The Daily Ittefaq
  3. ↑ Latitude and Longitude of Hatirjheel

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hatirjheel.

Coordinates: 23°44′58.47″N 90°23′48.35″W / 23.7495750°N 90.3967639°W