Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) seized construction materials illegally placed on roads and footpaths and sold them in an immediate open auction. DNCC Mayor Md. Atiqul Islam was present at the time.
Mayor Md. Atiqul Islam went to the Paikpara area of Mirpur on Saturday morning (17 September) for an anti-dengue awareness campaign and found that a large amount of rods, bricks, sand and other construction materials had been left illegally on the main road and footpath. After failing to get the authorities of the under-construction building, the DNCC Mayor ordered immediate legal action for creating public nuisance by leaving construction materials on the roads and footpaths.
Under the leadership of DNCC Executive Magistrate Persia Sultana Priyanka, all construction materials illegally placed on pavements and roads were seized and an open auction was called. Construction materials include large quantities of rods, bricks, sand and other materials. All the seized goods were sold for Tk 18 lakh 45 thousand in a public auction at a place open to the public due to obstruction of public movement.
At this time, the DNCC Mayor told the reporters, "When we came to search for the larvae of Aedes in the building under construction, we saw that a large amount of rods, bricks, sand and other materials were left on the road and on the sidewalk. Drains are clogged due to sand. There is water on the road. Construction materials shall not be placed on footpaths and roads obstructing public movement. Government, semi-government and private organizations will not be exempted if they cause public suffering.'
In response to a journalist's question, the mayor said, 'Government building construction projects should be more careful. Special care should be taken so that the people do not suffer, Aedes larvae do not grow due to accumulation of water. Not only in Mirpur, regional executive officers will take strict action in all the ten regions of DNCC in case of road obstruction. People cannot be allowed to suffer in any way.'
Mentioning that people should be more aware of dengue control, the Mayor said, 'People's awareness is important to control dengue. This year we have taken steps since the onset of monsoon. I have kept dengue under control more than in the past. Dengue can be completely controlled if we get people's awareness and cooperation. Clear water cannot be allowed to accumulate. Houses, gardens and roof gardens should be cleaned regularly.
A database of rooftop gardens of DNCC area has already been created. DNCC Mayor Md. Atiqul Islam also said that next October, DNCC will organize training on rooftop gardens with the help of Agriculture Department.
Mayor Atiqul Islam said that free dengue testing has been arranged in 44 city health centers in Dhaka North City Corporation. At this time, he also urged people to go to the hospital without wasting time if they are infected with dengue.