Hatirjheel
More or less people of Dhaka city often visit Hatirjheel. It is a huge waterbody with a modern infrastructure setting. It’s a place where people find peace in this mechanized Dhaka city. People come here to feel relief from their monotonous work life.
Today’s Hatirjheel is not as same as it was in the past. In 2006, Hatirjheel was a neglected area filled with water bodies and Marshlands. Slum dwellers used to live there. At the same time, it was locally known for its natural wetlands but it faced many problems like waterlogging on rainy days. And also, our traffic system was messed up around this area. So, the authorities came forward with a view to developing the area and to reducing the traffic jam. They wanted to start development work in 2007 but for some reason, they started it in 2008. The development work took 5 years to be completed fully. They really did a magnificent job. They have shown how to develop a neglected area. Now, the Hatirjheel development project is an example and is recognized as an iconic urban development project in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Location of Hatirjheel:
Located in the center of Dhaka. It connects the key areas of the capital city of Dhaka; Gulsan, Tejgaon, Rampura, Badda, Dhanmondi, Karwan Bazar, and Begunbari. So, you can enter Hatirjheel easily from these areas.
Features of Hatirjheel:
1. Scenic beauty: The aesthetic setting around the whole lake, the green touch, the lovely bridges and the walkways make the Hatirjheel more attractive. Also, there are colorful lights which increase the beauty of Hatirjheel more at night.
2. Recreational Spaces: Many parks, walkways, boat rides, and seating areas of Hatirjheel asked the locals and visitors to gather there. For those features, it turns into a favorite destination for couples.
3. Habitat of Birds and Fishes: After upgrading this area, it becomes the actual habitat for fish and Dhaka’s birds. People who love birds like to sit in Hatirjheel just because of the variety of birds.
4. Purify air: The green environment of Hatirjheel can purify the polluted air and improve the air quality of Dhaka to some extent.
5. Solving Traffic Jams: Proper infrastructure of roads, bridges, and overpasses plays a major role in reducing the traffic issue around the key areas of Hatirjheel.
Activities:
1. Jogging and exercise: In the morning, local residents love to jog here, and even they gather together to exercise there.
2. Quality time: Parks and seating settings around the whole area create spaces for people to spend quality time with their nearest and dearest ones or with family.
3. Boating and Kayaking: For roaming around the whole lake what will be more perfect rather than a boat? To enhance your roaming experience, you can also keep yourself busy by kayaking.
Tips for visitors:
Safety: Hatirjheel is fully observed by an authority. Local residents also help them to ensure safety and to do the maintenance properly.
Guide: Always ask the price first, then try. Whatever you want to eat or buy, please bargain then buy. Once I was scammed in price while buying food there.
Timing: I suggest you visit Hatirjheel between 3-8 p.m. And, in Winter, I like this place in the morning.
From 2013 to now, Hatirjheel has been earning appreciation for its capability to serve both as a traffic reducer and as a public leisure area.