Published : 06 Oct 2026, 01:57 PM
Updated : 06 Oct 2026, 01:57 PM
Dhaka South City Corporation has begun dredging and overall redevelopment of Dhanmondi Lake to restore its aesthetic environment, with a new cultural and recreational centre called “Nazrul Sarobar” planned alongside the lake.
Under a Tk 750 million masterplan, the lake will be renovated, and an open-air cultural hub named “Nazrul Sarobar” will be developed, modelled after “Rabindra Sarobar”.
Road Transport Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam and DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam formally inaugurated the dredging programme on Tuesday morning, the DSCC said in a media statement.
Rabiul, the local MP, said at the ceremony that the overall development and management of Dhanmondi Lake had been part of his election pledge.
“The prime minister has approved two projects in this regard. As the first phase, the removal of sludge and waste from the lake began today,” he said.
Abdus Salam said water treatment, sidewall renovation, walkway expansion and beautification work would begin after the lakebed is cleaned.
“The roads, footpaths and overall infrastructure across the Dhanmondi area will be improved. In addition, a modern open cultural and recreational centre called ‘Nazrul Sarobar’, similar to Rabindra Sarobar, will be developed here,” he said.
According to DSCC, Tk 500 million of the Tk 750 million masterplan will go on restoring the lake and related infrastructure, while Tk 250 million is set aside for “Nazrul Sarobar”.
About 162,534 cubic metres of sludge and waste will be removed from the 3.10-km-long lake over a one-year period.
The work will use two floating excavators and four barges, and the initial cost of dredging alone is estimated at Tk 260 million.
“Nazrul Sarobar” will be developed beside Road 13/A and Road 8/A in Dhanmondi, opposite the Kazi Nazrul Islam Institute.
The facility will feature an open-air amphitheatre, a library, a book corner and a specialised restaurant serving food favoured by poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
The overall lake area will also have three floating decks, a cafeteria, an open-air gym, a badminton court and a specialised “tree hospital” for plant treatment.
