Ministry to evict illegal structures, makeshift prayer space from Suhrawardy Udyan

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works has decided to conduct an operation to evict all illegal structures, including a makeshift prayer space created under a tarpaulin shelter inside the capital's Suhrawardy Udyan. The operation began after noon on Sunday (July 26).

Executive Engineer Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad of the Public Works Department has already sent notices to the concerned departments in this regard.

The notice stated that various development projects of the Public Works Department, Dhaka South City Corporation and Dhaka WASA are ongoing in Suhrawardy Udyan, with most work in its final stages. However, the unrestricted movement of the public has allowed some miscreants to take up positions, disrupting security and leaving visitors vulnerable to snatching and harassment.

According to the ministry, a group has recently and deliberately set up illegal shops near the temple gate and, under the guise of building a temporary prayer space beside the amphitheatre, has occupied park land and remains present day and night.

The notice further stated that despite the presence of a modern and aesthetically pleasing mosque in the park, outsiders appear to have constructed the temporary prayer space "solely to serve their personal interests." Although they were repeatedly asked to vacate the area, they allegedly misbehaved with and threatened Public Works Department employees and Ansar members.

In this situation, the directive has been given to promptly evict the temporary prayer space, illegal shops and other encroachers to protect government property and ensure visitor safety.

An 11-member committee has also been formed to strengthen security at Suhrawardy Udyan, with the Proctor of Dhaka University as convener. Representatives from Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Dhaka South City Corporation, WASA and other concerned agencies are members of the committee.

Marked as 'extremely urgent', copies of the notice have been sent to the police, Dhaka University, the city corporation, WASA and other relevant authorities.