Dhaka, Dec. 3 -- More than a decade after it was first approved with the promise of giving residents a cleaner, greener and more accessible lake environment, the Uttara Lake Development (1st Revised) Project remains mired in delays, extensions and rising costs.

What was once envisioned as a model urban regeneration initiative-protecting the Uttara lake system from encroachment, improving water retention, preventing pollution and creating vibrant walkways and recreation spaces-has instead become a striking example of chronic stagnation in public infrastructure development.

Recently the government extended the project deadline for the sixth time, pushing completion to June 2026.

A Decade of Deadlines Missed

The project, undertaken by th...