The decision to construct a station plaza at Shaheed Anwara Udyan, located in the heart of Dhaka’s Farmgate area, was initially taken by Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), the agency responsible for building and operating the metro rail. However, following protests by locals and environmental activists, the metro rail authorities have reversed their decision. The park is expected to reopen to the public by March.

The land for Anwara Udyan falls under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department, while its maintenance and development are overseen by Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). Since 2018, DMTCL has been using the park as a project office and storage site for construction materials, with permission from the Public Works Department. It was initially agreed that the park would be returned to its original state after metro rail construction. However, after commercial operations began in 2023, DMTCL announced plans to convert the park into a station plaza with shops, restaurants, cafes, entertainment facilities, and a children’s play area. They even sent a formal proposal to the Public Works Department. Similar station plazas were also planned for Agargaon, Uttara North, and Kamalapur to cover operational costs.

This decision to build a station plaza at the park triggered protests from urban planners and environmental activists, who joined forces with locals to oppose the move. In response to the sustained protests, the interim government decided to scrap the plan. Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, told Bonik Barta, “We’ve canceled the decision to construct the metro plaza at Anwara Udyan in the interest of public welfare. The park will remain as it was before. It will be reopened for the public by March.”

For more than six years, the park has been used as a storage site for metro rail construction materials. While the delay in restoring it has drawn criticism, environmental activists have welcomed the decision to return the park to its original state. Nayon Sarkar, an environmental and climate activist who has long advocated for saving the park, said to Bonik Barta, “The adviser has assured us that the park will be reopened to the public by March 26. This is a positive step. But our demands and protests will continue until we see this implemented. We’ve heard empty promises before. The day we can walk and breathe freely in Anwara Udyan will mark the true success of our movement.”

Urban planners have also raised questions about the use of the park for metro rail construction, pointing out that it violates the law protecting playgrounds, open spaces, parks, and natural reservoirs. According to this law, the classification of such areas cannot be changed or used for other purposes. Additionally, the Integrated Detailed Area Plan (DAP) 2022–2035 identifies Anwara Udyan as an open space under Sub-Region 26 of Dhaka.

Urban planner Adil Muhammed Khan told Bonik Barta, “Those who planned to destroy a park in one of the world’s most polluted cities to build a plaza were clearly not in their right minds. Although this realization came late, the government has finally made the right decision. Restoring the park’s environment should now be the top priority.”

It has been learned that Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan recently held a meeting with officials from the Public Works Department and DMTCL regarding Anwara Udyan. DMTCL has been directed to return the park to its original state. However, the metro rail authority plans to retain a small portion of the park for passenger drop-off and pickup. The Public Works Department is reportedly working on a detailed plan for the park’s restoration.

Mohammad Abdur Rouf, Managing Director of DMTCL, told Bonik Barta, “We’ve held discussions with the Public Works Department, along with environmental and road advisers. The decision has been made—we will not construct the station plaza at Anwara Park in the interest of the public. The park isn’t owned by us; we were using it with permission. While we’ll keep a very small section for drop-off and pickup, the rest will be returned. By March or April, the park will be handed over. We’ve already cleared part of it and will vacate the rest soon. The Public Works Department is also preparing a detailed design for the park.”