The Dhaka district administration handed over the Dhupkhola field, part of a DSCC development project, to Jagannath University earlier this week. However, this handover raises the question: If the Dhaka South City Corporation developed the field but the district administration transferred it to JnU, who actually owns it?
According to DSCC Chief Property Officer Kaiser Mohammad Farabi, the field is the DSCC’s property.
Md Khairul Baker, DSCC superintending engineer (environment, climate and disaster management circle), who was in charge of the Dhupkhola field development project, said the city corporation had heard about the handover but had yet to get any official notification.
“Who will maintain it now? If the field is not maintained, it can return to its previous state.”
The Dhupkhola field was occupied by illegal encroachers before the DSCC undertook the renovation project.
Following the renovation, DSCC even hoped for international recognition of the football field section from Fifa.
In a previous interview with Dhaka Tribune, Khairul mentioned that illegal occupants had divided the field into four sections and used it to store construction materials.
Dhaka Tribune was unable to confirm the total amount the DSCC spent on developing Dhupkhola Field, as the work was carried out through several projects over the years.
Open to everyone, but JnU will have priority access
Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Anisur Rahman said the field was government property. “The DSCC did not seek permission from the district administration or the Ministry of Land before beginning construction.”
Anisur said the land was public and should remain accessible to everyone.
When asked about the handover to JnU, he said the field would still be open to everyone, but JnU students would have priority access.
“As JnU is a large university without any field, it officially requested the land,” he added. “Since some individuals were preventing them from using the field, we decided to hand it over to JnU.”
“As of now, we cannot permanently transfer the land to anyone.”
Meanwhile, JnU Treasurer Dr Md Humayun Kabir Chowdhury said: “The DC asked us to send a letter to obtain the official documents, which we have done.”
Humayun said the DC office would handle further proceedings, including obtaining approval from the ministry.
When asked about securing the field from illegal occupants, he said: “Initially, we plan to recruit security guards and caretakers. Further measures will be finalized with the syndicate's approval.”
“We are pleased to have reclaimed the field from other occupiers. This is an outcome of student protests. JnU is grateful to everyone who helped in recovering this field.”
