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Ramna park hours have been shortened further as two schedules have been enforced by separate government departments for public entry. 

The two schedules have significantly reduced public access to the 68.50-acre park located in the heart of the capital, causing confusion and dissatisfactions among the public who feel that their right to open spaces has been denied.

The Public Works Department has ordered closure of the park from 12 noon to 2:00pm for everyday maintenance and cleaning since 2022, a decision made after the park reopened following Covid-19 restrictions, which has sparked public dissatisfactions.

A recent notice from the Chief Adviser’s Office, displayed at several park gates—particularly those on the opposite side of State Guest House Jamuna, now residence of interim government chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus—states that ‘the park will remain closed from 10:00am to 4:00pm’ for the chief adviser’s security.

Md Mehbubur Rahman, deputy divisional engineer of Ramna PW sub-division-1, told ¶¶Òõ¾«Æ· that the park was closed for two hours daily for maintenance and cleaning.

He said that although the Chief Adviser’s Office had not officially informed the PWD about the new restriction, he was aware that only the gate ‘Arunaday’ in the close vicinity of Jamuna would remain closed to the public for six hours. 

According to the PWD authorities, the park—often referred to as the ‘lungs of Dhaka City’—receives around 3,000 visitors each weekday and over 5,000 at weekends for activities such as physical exercise, morning walks, and as a passage to nearby areas.

Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, deputy press secretary to the chief adviser, said, ‘Security agencies responsible for the chief adviser’s protection can make any decisions.'

During visits to the park between November 1 and November 18, security personnel at three —two on Minto Road and one opposite to Shishu Park in Shahbagh— out of five gates were seen barring public entry during the restricted hours started from 10:00am.

A PWD official said that he also found several gates closed during his visits on November 17.

A member of the Ansars, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the gate opposite to Jamuna strictly followed security instructions while other gates remained closed only when VIP guests were in the area.

‘These days, the gate opposite to Matsya Bhaban also remains closed beyond the PWD’s restricted hours. Only the gate opposite the High Court, which provides access to the park’s restaurant, stays open during restricted hours to accommodate restaurant visitors,’ he added.

The Institute for Planning and Development director professor Adil Muhammad Khan said, ‘We have very few open spaces like Ramna in Dhaka. The authorities should not close the park, even for a minute, during the daytime considering its multi-dimensional uses and its impact on health.’ 

‘The July-August mass uprising was about restoring citizens’ rights, not continuing the deprivation experienced under the ousted Awami League government,’ he added. 

During visits to the park, which typically remains open from 6:00am to 12:00 noon and then from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm, many visitors were seen returning from the gates due to the restrictions.

A frustrated visitor, Rifat, expressed his anger saying, ‘If the park is closed for six hours, what’s the point of keeping it open? Won’t there be any security issues after 4:00pm?’

Jubed, a security guard, said that they had to encounter heated conversations with visitors every day due to the restrictions.