STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Environmental activists, professionals, rights activists, planners, lawyers and other civil society members yesterday reiterated their demand for immediate cancellation of the link road project from FDC to Palashi portion of the elevated expressway, which is damaging Hatirjheel and Panthakunja Park.

In a joint statement, 157 citizens said the road is violating the environmental laws and the constitution in a glaring example of discriminatory planning, lack of environmental clearance, and state mismanagement.

The project has been undergoing with corruption, mismanagement and a lack of coordination since it started which became a reason of ecological damage and public suffering, they also said, adding that around 2,000 trees have already been felled in Panthakunja, and portions of Hatirjheel’s wetland have been illegally filled.

The signatories argued that this project directly violates Article 18A of the Constitution, which obliges the state to protect natural resources, biodiversity, and wetlands for current and future generations.

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