Baridhara Society has embarked on one of the most ambitious renovation programmes ever undertaken in the Baridhara Diplomatic Zone, with work now beginning on a comprehensive rebuilding of the Baridhara Lakeside Park. The project, developed and driven by the current Executive Committee of the Society under the leadership of its President, Mr. Sakif Ariff Tabani, and Secretary General, Mr. ATM Matin, aims to rescue the lakeside from years of erosion and neglect, and to return to residents a park that is safer, greener and open to people of every age.

A detailed structural and landscaping design for the park has been prepared and has received formal approval from Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK). The Society has already completed a Bill of Quantities for the works and floated a tender covering the full scope of the project, placing the initiative on a firm procurement footing before construction begins.

Shore protection the first priority

The single most important objective of the project is the protection of the lake shore. Over the years, the embankment along the Baridhara Lake has been steadily eaten away by erosion, threatening the stability of the park itself and narrowing the strip of public space that residents have long enjoyed. Engineers engaged by the Society have identified shore protection as the foundation on which every other component of the renovation depends, and the approved design therefore begins with structural works along the lake edge to arrest further loss of land and stabilize the bank permanently.

"Without securing the shore, nothing else we build here would last," is the principle that has guided the design from the outset, Society officials said. The works will be carried out in line with the RAJUK-approved drawings and under engineering supervision arranged by the Society.

A rebuilt walkway for the community

The second major component of the project is the complete reconstruction of the park's 1.4-kilometre walkway. The walkway is the most heavily used feature of the Lakeside Park, drawing walkers from dawn until late evening, and its surface has deteriorated badly. The new walkway will be rebuilt along its full length with a durable surface, proper drainage and continuous alignment with the protected shoreline, giving residents a safe and comfortable route along the water.

New amenities for every age group

Beyond structural repair, the project will significantly expand the civic amenities available in the park. A multi-facility sports zone is planned, featuring a futsal ground and a tennis court, giving young residents of the area organized space for recreation close to home. A dedicated children's corner will be developed, along with additional seating areas designed for the rest and recreation of elderly residents, who make up a substantial share of the park's daily visitors.

Accessibility has been given particular attention. Ramps will be constructed at the park gates so that wheelchair users, elderly residents and parents with prams can enter without difficulty - a step that makes the Lakeside Park genuinely open to all. Improved lighting across the park and enhanced security arrangements will make the space safer and more welcoming, particularly in the early morning and evening hours when usage is highest.

Inauguration draws residents from across Baridhara

An inauguration programme for the renovation project was held on 18 September 2026 on the Lakeside Park premises. Residents from across the Baridhara Diplomatic Zone - families, senior citizens, young people and members of the Society - attended the event, which marked the formal beginning of a project that has been years in the planning.

Corporate support led by Anjan Chowdhury

A distinguishing feature of the initiative is the scale of support it has attracted from the private sector under Corporate Social Responsibility commitments.

Foremost among the contributors is Mr. Anjan Chowdhury, Managing Director of Square Food and Beverages Limited, who has extended his wholehearted support to the project and committed a large share of the total cost. Mr. Chowdhury is set to be the single largest contributor to the renovation, and his early and substantial commitment gave the project both the financial confidence and the momentum it needed to move from design to execution. His involvement has been widely credited with encouraging others to come forward.

Among other industrialists, Mr. Enayetullah Khan, President and Group CEO of Cosmos Group; Mr. Tanvir Ahmed, Managing Director of Sheltech Group; and Mr. Khondoker Monir Uddin, Managing Director of Shanta Holdings Limited, have each committed their wholehearted support and financial contribution to the project.

The financial sector has responded equally generously. Mr. Abdul Hai Sarker, Chairman of Dhaka Bank PLC and Chairman of the Bangladesh Association of Banks; Mr. Hossain Khaled, Chairman of the Board of Directors of City Bank PLC; Mr. Sharif Zahir, Chairman of the Board of Directors of United Commercial Bank PLC, and Mr. Mohammad Younus, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC have all committed their support to the renovation.

Cleaning the lake: a wider effort

Running alongside the park renovation is a broader lake cleaning programme, pursued in line with the vision of the Honourable Prime Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for this constituency.

The President and the Secretary General of Baridhara Society have held a series of meetings with government bodies to build consensus around a workable solution, including the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and the Local Government Division, as well as agencies such as RAJUK and the Dhaka North City Corporation. The Society is also working in coordination with Gulshan Society, Banani Society and Niketon Society, recognizing that the health of the lake cannot be secured by any one neighbourhood acting alone.

Results are already visible. A sewage treatment plant has been installed at the Kalachandpur point of the Baridhara Lake - a tangible outcome of this sustained engagement and an important step towards stopping the flow of untreated waste into the water body.

Taken together, the shore protection works, the rebuilt walkway, the new amenities and the lake cleaning effort represent a rare convergence of community leadership, regulatory approval and corporate generosity. For the residents of Baridhara, the promise is a lakeside park restored to its proper place at the center of neighborhood life.