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DCs’ bold role sought to save rivers


Published : 20 Jan 2022 10:37 PM

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury expects stronger role of Deputy Commissioners (DCs) for protecting rivers from pollution, encroachment and restoring navigability.

He also called upon the DCs to increase surveillance against unethical activities in the country's land ports.

The state minister was talking to reporters after the end of the 2nd session on the 3rd day of the DCs Conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.

"Rivers are losing navigability due to illegal sand lifting from the riverbed, which creates obstructions on river routes. The DCs have been asked to strongly monitor it," he said.

However, the DCs have made some proposals to develop the river ports in Hatiya and Bhola and make those passenger-friendly, he said adding "Already we have taken steps in this regard."

‘Illegal sand extraction destroys the navigability of the river and disrupts our waterways. The deputy commissioners have been asked to monitor these properly,’ the state minister said.

Khalid Mahmud said, "The district administration is keeping a close watch on our land ports so that no immoral activities take place in the place through which goods are imported and exported."

The state minister said, "The steps taken by us through various agencies of the ministry, have been presented to them."

Replying to a question on river accidents, the minister said, "Many major accidents have occurred on river routes recently and some irregularities are there in this sector but it is not possible to change the sector in a day."

‘Like the launch we travel on, I’ve been saying from the beginning, it needs to change its design. We are paying attention to this place. Work is underway in this regard. Our goal is to make safer this sector,’ he added.