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Published : 05 Jul 2026, 12:01 AM
The modernisation of Shahid Zia Shishu Park in Shahbagh, which was supposed to be completed within a year after its closure in 2019, has entered its seventh year, with the project cost rising from Tk 780 million to Tk 6.04 billion.
The government-run amusement park for children was closed on Jan 1, 2019, with a promise that it would reopen in a modernised form by the end of the year.
Since then, the project has outlived the Awami League government, the interim administration and now the BNP government, which has been in office for nearly five months.
Yet work remains unfinished and the park is still closed to visitors.
The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), which oversees the project, says procurement has begun for new rides and hopes to open the park early next year.
However, a visit to the site on Thursday found little visible construction activity. A vegetable garden has appeared inside the park, while vagrants have also taken shelter there.
Established in 1979 on 6.07 hectares beside Suhrawardy Udyan with Japanese assistance, the park was Bangladesh's first amusement park dedicated to children.
It was launched as a profitable venture by the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation.
Since 1983, it has operated as Shahid Zia Shishu Park, the only amusement park in southern Dhaka, and has been maintained by the then Dhaka Municipal Corporation and later the DSCC.
The Awami League government shut the park in January 2019 as part of the third phase of the Independence Monument construction project at Suhrawardy Udyan.
The modernisation cost was initially estimated at Tk 780 million, with funding expected from the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs.
The project failed to meet its 2019 deadline.
Although administrative processes continued, little progress was made on the ground.
By 2022, work had virtually stalled.
At the time, then DSCC supervising engineer Mohammad Anisur Rahman said the ministry's allocation was insufficient to begin work.
The DSCC later submitted a separate Tk 6.16 billion proposal to the planning ministry.
In October 2023, the project was approved as a standalone DSCC initiative with a budget of nearly Tk 6.04 billion.
Visible work resumed after nearly five years of closure, although media reports at the time said part of the project had been delayed because Shahbagh Police Station was occupying part of the park.
Following the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5, 2024, work gained further momentum under the interim administration.
On Feb 19, 2025, the fourth meeting of the DSCC board decided to restore the park's previous name Shahid Zia Shishu Park.
The revised project retained the Tk 6.04 billion budget and targeted reopening by Jun 30, 2026.
Progress slowed again, but the DSCC says procurement of rides and construction work gathered pace after the BNP took office in February.
During Thursday's visit, access through the main gate remained restricted.
Although traces of new infrastructure were visible after old rides and structures had been removed, only drainage work appeared to be under way.
Several vagrants were inside the park but quickly left after noticing journalists.
Vegetables were also being cultivated in part of the park, although no one present could explain who was responsible.
Two workers, known only by their first names Sumon and Rabbi, acknowledged that work was progressing "at a slow pace".
According to the DSCC, engineer (mechanical) Anisur, who had served as project director, was recently transferred to the Bogura City Corporation after allegations of corruption linked to the Shishu Park project and other schemes.
The Local Government Division has ordered an investigation into allegations of irregularities and corruption involving him.
Separate orders issued by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives on Jun 30 confirmed the transfer and investigation.
DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam said the ministry would appoint a new project director.
"The ministry has transferred the project director and will appoint a new one. That does not mean work will stop. We have our own sections and work will continue," he said.
"The construction work has already been completed. Tenders have been floated for the rides. As soon as the equipment arrives, we will install them and reopen the park as quickly as possible."
DSCC Chief Executive Officer Md Jahirul Islam said tenders had been invited for 15 rides.
"Once the tender process is completed, bids will be evaluated before work orders are issued. If everything proceeds according to plan, the park may open at the beginning of 2027," he said.
"The rides will have to be imported. Letters of credit must be opened. I estimate it may take six to seven months for the rides to arrive."
