Hatirjheel: Dhaka’s Urban Oasis or Hidden Nightmare?

For over a decade, Hatirjheel has been touted as Dhaka’s “revolutionary” urban development project—a blend of lakes, walkways, and bridges designed to ease traffic and provide recreation. But behind the glossy brochures and Instagram posts lies a reality only regular visitors truly know—from midnight police raids to floating dead fish in the supposedly “clean” water.

As someone who’s walked, biked, and (regrettably) swerved through Hatirjheel’s chaos for years, here’s the raw, unfiltered truth about this so-called urban paradise.

Why Hatirjheel Matters (Or Doesn’t)

✔ Largest artificial lake project in Dhaka (120 acres)
✔ Supposedly reduces traffic congestion (spoiler: it doesn’t)
✔ Nighttime hotspot for secret dates, street food, and police shakedowns
✔ Home to floating restaurants, pedal boats, and questionable water quality

The Dark Side of Hatirjheel’s “Development”

1. The Water Is Filthier Than You Think

• Officially: “Treated and clean”
• Reality:
  • Sewage lines from Gulshan & Banani still leak into it
  • Dead fish surface every monsoon
  • That “clean blue” look? Artificial dye dumped before VIP visits

2. The Bridge That Solved Nothing

• Promised: Traffic relief for Gulshan-Tejgaon
• Actual Result:
  • Still jam-packed during rush hour
  • More rickshaws than cars
  • Bikers playing real-life Fast & Furious between lanes

3. The Midnight Economy (What Happens After Dark?)

• 10 PM-2 AM:
  • Street vendors sell phuchka and chaap (unlicensed)
  • Couples rent boats for “private time” (until police raid)
  • Underground gambling rings operate near the Rampura exit

Visitor’s Guide: What You Can & Can’t Do

Best Times to Visit (If You Must)

• 6-8 AM: Joggers & cyclists (least polluted air)
• 4-6 PM: Sunset views (but prepare for crowds)
• Avoid Nights (Unless You Like Drama): Police raids, mugging risks, and drunk bikers

Strict Rules (That Nobody Follows)

Allowed (Theoretically):

• Walking (if you dodge bikes & rickshaws)
• Pedal boating (if you ignore the suspicious water)

Forbidden (But Happens Anyway):

• Swimming (leeches + sewage = bad idea)
• Street food (yet vendors are everywhere)
• Public displays of affection (but couples still sneak around)

Hidden Spots Only Locals Know

1. The Abandoned Control Room – Great for secret meetings
2. The “Floating” Food Court – Where cops get free snacks
3. The Rampura Footbridge – Best spot to watch illegal bike races

Wildlife? More Like “Why Is That Fish Floating Upside Down?”

• Fish: Occasionally seen (mostly dead)
• Birds: Few herons brave the pollution
• Rats: The real rulers of Hatirjheel’s underground ducts

FAQs (Real Answers, No PR Nonsense)

1. “Is the water safe for boating?”

• Officially: Yes
• Reality: You’ll see floating trash bags and maybe a dead fish

2. “Why are there so many police at night?”

• To “maintain order” (aka collect bribes from food vendors)
• Break up gambling rings (that reform 10 mins later)

3. “Can you really eat street food here?”

• Risk Level: High
• Best Bet: Stick to packed chanachur or bottled drinks

4. “Where’s the best photo spot?”

• Sunset Point near Tejgaon (least trash in frame)
• Avoid the water close-ups (unless you want sewage in your shot)

5. “Why does it smell weird sometimes?”

• Monsoon: Sewage overflow
• Summer: Algae blooms
• Winter: Less smell, but more visible trash

Final Verdict: Is Hatirjheel Worth It?

Pros:

• Slightly better than Dhaka’s other polluted lakes
• Decent walking paths (if you avoid bikes)
• Less chaotic than Ramna Park

Cons:

• Water quality = questionable
• Traffic relief = myth
• Nighttime = shady dealings

Visit at your own risk—and maybe bring sanitizer.

Got questions? Find me at the Rampura footbridge—I’m the one laughing at tourists who think the water is clean.

Hatirjheel: Uncensored FAQs (From a Local Who Knows Too Much)

1. “Is the water really that dirty?”

• What officials say: “Fully treated and clean”
• Reality check:
  • Dead fish surface every Friday morning
  • That “blue” tint? Industrial dye dumped before VIP visits
  • Swimmers risk skin infections (ask the 2022 college dare crew)

2. “Why do police chase people at night?”

• 10PM-2AM activities they’re “controlling”:
  • Couples getting too cozy on boats (₹500 bribe to look away)
  • Illegal street food vendors (who return 10 mins later)
  • Underground gambling rings near Rampura exit

3. “Can we actually eat the street food?”

Risk assessment:

• Relatively safe: Packaged chanachur, bottled drinks
• Avoid at all costs:
  • The “mystery meat” chaap stalls
  • Any fuchka that uses lake water for the tamarind sauce
  • That one ice cream cart that’s been there since 2015

4. “Where do all the pedal boats disappear to?”

• Daytime: Tourists and couples
• After dark:
  • Drug deals (hidden compartments)
  • Police evidence disposal (rumored)
  • That viral TikTok couple’s “private tours”

5. “Why does the bridge still have traffic jams?”

The great Hatirjheel paradox:

• Built to “reduce congestion”
• Now has its own dedicated traffic jams
• Real function: Instagram backdrop for car commercials

6. “Is it true about the floating restaurant scams?”

• “Luxury dining” reality:
  • Food cooked in Tejgaon kitchens
  • Rats in the lower decks
  • Frequent “engine trouble” when bills arrive

7. “What’s with the sudden fish deaths?”

• Official explanation: “Natural causes”
• Local theories:
  • Midnight chemical dumping
  • Oxygen levels drop when water pumps fail
  • The big one: Underground sewage leaks from Gulshan

8. “Can we swim if no one sees?”

• Dangers include:
  • Leeches that survived the “cleaning”
  • Suspicious rashes (2021 outbreak)
  • Police fines (₹2000+ if caught)

9. “Where do the street vendors go during raids?”

• Escape routes:
  • Through the broken fence near Tejgaon
  • Fake “customer” disguises
  • Pre-paid protection to certain officers

10. “Why does the footbridge vibrate so much?”

• Daytime reason: Too many selfie takers
• Nighttime reason: Underground pump systems failing
• Conspiracy theory: Built on unstable landfill

11. “Is there really gambling happening?”

• How to spot a game:
  • Groups “checking phones” too intensely
  • Sudden money exchanges near trash bins
  • That one always-empty bench by pillar #12

12. “What’s the smell near the Tejgaon inlet?”

• Monsoon season: Raw sewage
• Summer: Dead algae blooms
• Winter: Less smell, more visible trash

13. “Why do some lights never work?”

• Stolen copper wiring (monthly occurrence)
• “Energy saving” (aka unpaid bills)
• Deliberate for certain “private” activities

14. “Can we fish here?”

• Allowed: No
• Reality: Nighttime catfish hunters
• Catch of the day: Mostly plastic bags

15. “What’s the abandoned control tower for?”

• Original purpose: Monitor water levels
• Current uses:
  • Police nap spot
  • Teen dare challenges
  • Rumor says VIP surveillance hub

Final Thought: 

Hatirjheel is Dhaka’s beautiful illusion – postcard-ready by day, lawless by night. Come for the sunset views, stay for the drama, but watch your step (and your wallet). The real attraction isn’t the water – it’s the human circus around it. Thanks for staying with One Light Journal Bangladesh.