Over 11,000 detainees and convicts -- about 250 of them women -- are squashed into the oldest prison in Bangladesh, built for 2,650.

"The government plans to make more space for them as they suffer more in summer," said Meer Maksud Hossain, Dhaka Central Jail superintendent.

The relocation of inmates from the central jail on Nazimuddin Road to Gazipur and Keraniganj reportedly ran into red tape snags. "The way work is going on is frustrating," said a home ministry official who did not want to be identified.

The government earmarked 200 acres for a new jail at Tegharia in Keraniganj but did not acquire land as the project has long been shelved with the Central Land Allocation Committee, sources said.

"Authorities seem unconcerned about the prices of land in Keraniganj going high by the year. I'm not sure of the project," the official said.

Built in 1883, Dhaka Central Jail does not have enough space for all inmates and four new buildings were constructed after independence to cope with the problem.

"There is no proper sewerage and the buildings are not liveable," a detainee, released on bail, told Star City.

The situation remains the same for the prisoners despite recommendations of the Jail Reform Commission. "Development is limited to paperwork," he added.

Earlier, Law Minister Moudud Ahmed said a third of Kashimpur jail construction in Gazipur was complete: it will accommodate 1,500 inmates and a separate building for women prisoners will be set up inside.

The government allocated Tk 47 crore this year for reconstruction and expansion of 66 jails jammed with 72,000 inmates up from the capacity of 25,000, a home ministry source said.

The government has provided additional space for 400 inmates in different jails over the last two years. "Even if other plans to increase the capacity of the jails are implemented, only 2,500 more inmates will get space," he added.

About 130 detainees are languishing in Dhaka Central Jail without trial. "If they had been convicted, they would have been released by this time," says a home ministry report.

Different organisations under Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) called for the premises to be turned into a park once the prison authorities vacate them.

Bapa brought out a procession and formed a human chain in front of Dhaka Central Jail on February 8, voicing their demand for open space, rather than further urban developments in the compound.