Govt to free city’s playgrounds, footpaths from illegal occupation: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (15 July) told the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) that the government is committed to freeing the city's playgrounds and footpaths from illegal occupation.

"Since the present government assumed office, the standard of the country's sports has improved significantly. At the same time, children are now able to play in playgrounds. Most parks and playgrounds in Dhaka have already been freed from illegal occupation through eviction drives, and their modernisation is underway," he said.

The Leader of the House said this in reply to a starred question from treasury bench lawmaker from Mymensingh-8 Luthfullahel Mazed with Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal in the chair this afternoon.

He said that there are 189 parks, playgrounds and open spaces under the jurisdiction of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). 

Of them, the DNCC owned 38, including 24 parks, six playgrounds, four children parks and four Eidgahs, the premier said, adding, initiatives have been taken to appoint security guards, install adequate lighting and CCTV cameras at the parks and playgrounds and boost public awareness campaigns to ensure security in those places.  

"The 38 parks, playgrounds and open spaces owned by the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) are currently free from illegal occupation and are being managed in a planned manner," the Prime Minister said. 

Development works of 20 parks, four playgrounds, two children's parks and two Eidgah grounds have already been completed, he said, adding, the remaining 151 parks, playgrounds, children's parks, Eidgah grounds and open spaces owned by the National Housing Authority, RAJUK and other agencies will be developed in phases. 

Tarique Rahman said illegal occupiers have been evicted from all playgrounds and parks under the jurisdiction of the Dhaka North City Corporation, adding, the eviction drive against illegal occupiers of playgrounds and parks will continue in the future.

"There are 256 parks and playgrounds under the jurisdiction of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), owned by the city corporation and other agencies. Illegal occupiers have already been evicted from these parks and playgrounds," he added. 

Referring to the ongoing development work at various playgrounds and parks under the DSCC, the Prime Minister said, "Among the notable projects are Malitola Park in Ward No. 35, Shaheed Matiur Rahman Park (Gulistan Park), Motijheel Park, Nawabganj Park, Osmani Udyan, Jatrabari Children's Park, Islambagh Bashir Uddin Park, Shahbagh Children's Park, Haji Abdul Alim Playground, Rasulbagh Park Playground, Jorpukur Playground, Basabo Playground (Shaheed Alauddin Park), Sadeq Hossain Khoka Playground, South Goran Sultan Bhuiyan Jhilpar Playground, Basabo Balur Math, South Basabo, Gazmahal Children's Park, Hazaribagh Park and Amligola Playground."

Mentioning that there are very few playgrounds under the Gazipur City Corporation (GCC), he said, playgrounds are available under various educational and religious institutions there, adding that the city corporation is providing financial allocations and carrying out development activities for their maintenance. 

"The government has plans to establish eight playgrounds in the eight zones and 57 playgrounds in the 57 wards under the Gazipur City Corporation," the premier said. 

He also informed the House that efforts are underway to free playgrounds and parks from illegal occupation and restore them for public use in Mymensingh, Barishal and other city corporations across the country.