The government is going to take project involving 80 billion dollar in a bid to free the capital from waste, dust and unplanned digging.
Local government, Rural Development and Cooperative Minister Tajul Islam said this while addressing as the chief guest at an installation programme of City Development Journalist Forum Bangladesh (CDJFB) at CIRDAP auditorium in the capital on Saturday.
LGRD minister said, “We have no actual data of how many utility lines pass under which of the city roads. Different utility providing organisations dig the road at different times when they need. The Dhaka city had been developed in an unplanned manner from the very beginning. There is no ducting line in the city roads. we recently have conducted a meeting with World bank to find out how and in what way we can solve road digging problem. The World Bank proposed a project to free the city from indiscriminate digging, waste and dust. The project will cost Tk 80 billion dollars.”
He further said, “The government is going to purchase modern sweeping trucks and equipment at a cost of Tk 200 crore.”
Speaking as the special guest, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam said, “We want to turn Dhaka into a smart city. We have launched ‘333’ helpline service and we have prepared all necessary things to launch the city app.”
He also said, “We will take legal action and impose fine against the pollutants. We want to free Dhaka from pollution by using my experience as a mayor which I have gathered for the last nine months.”
General Secretary of Bangladesh Institute of Planners Dr Adil Mohammad Khan said, “The development cannot be sustainable which decreases the living standard of citizens. We have to take coordinated measures to make the development sustainable.”
General Secretary of National Press Club Farida Yeasmin said, “We all have to come forward to make Dhaka as much pollution free as possible, also reduce traffic congestion.”
CDJFB president Motin Abdullah, General secretary SM Foyez, among others also spoke. During the programme, the chief guest distributed crest among the newly elected members of CDJFB.