Roadwork killing Gulshan Avenue trees

A project to beautify one of the main thoroughfares in the north of Dhaka has been ruined by reckless repair work along the city’s potholed roads. The existing Debdaru trees along Gulshan Avenue were planted by Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) authorities a few years ago as part of a beautification project. But many have been damaged irreparably by maintenance workers. “Some of the trees started dying after construction work on the avenue was completed,” Khondoker Mahabub Alam, a DNCC executive engineer, told the Dhaka Tribune. The city corporation carried out this work as part of its regular renovation and repair of city roads, changing the construction material used in building the footpaths and road dividers. “Unfortunately, the workers destroyed the roots of some trees, and so the trees are dying,” Mahabub said. “But we are taking care of them by providing them with good soil and taking other steps to keep them alive.” Masud Ahmed, an inspector at the DNCC’s advertisement and beautification section, told the Dhaka Tribune that they have launched a new project to replace the existing beautification scheme and decorate six of the capital’s roads with seasonal flowers. The roads in question are the Kakoli intersection in Banani to Gulshan 2 circle; Shooting Club in Gulshan 1 to Pakistan embassy in Gulshan 2; Kakoli intersection to Jahangir gate; Bijoy Sarani, or Rangs Bhabon, to Khamarbari; Mohakhali flyover; and Saarc Fountain. Arkay Multimedia will develop the whole project using funds from different sponsors whose names will be displayed eventually on the dividers. “Our plan is to replace the old beautification scheme and plant seasonal flowers across the road dividers to make them more soothing to the eye,” Masud said.