Hatirjheel project was initiated during the military backed interim government. It was a difficult project to implement. There were a lot of illegal structures in that area. The main objectives of the project were to create a water retention area to recharge underground water level, to improve road connectivity between different parts of the capital and to make a recreational spot for the city dwellers.
RAJUK, WASA and LGED jointly implemented the project with the supervision of Bangladesh army. Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology provided technical advice.
The project was opened for traffic in January last year, though some crucial part of the project including sewerage treatment plant is still to be implemented. Controversial BGMEA building is still to be demolished. Non motorized vehicles are not allowed there and more and more people are using the lake side roads of the project area to avoid traffic jam. But the roads are little different here compared to other parts of the capital. Those are one way roads and this is why there is no traffic police or signaling system.
Now some experts of BUET are saying that there needs some traffic management by police as many drivers are ignoring traffic signs, crossing speed limit, driving on wrong side. At least five people died in last year due to motorcycle accident.
