Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Md Atiqul Islam emphasized the importance of demarcating the city's rivers and canals according to CS and RS marks to eliminate waterlogging.
Speaking at a seminar organized by United International University and The Daily Star, titled “Transformative Change in Stormwater Management in Dhaka City”, he stressed the need to protect the city's water bodies from encroachment for future generations.
He called for a collective stand against those constructing structures by filling reservoirs.
During the seminar at United International University in Dhaka, Atiqul Islam narrated his efforts to clear illegally occupied areas, citing the revitalization of the Lautla canal as an example.
He expressed his commitment to evict canal occupiers for the greater good of the city.
Atiqul Islam highlighted the reclamation of 32 acres of land from the Kalyanpur retention pond, where the Kalyanpur Hydro Eco Park will be developed. The mayor also raised concerns about the filling of the Gabtali canal, warning of potential flooding in areas like Mohammadpur, Shyamoli, and Mirpur if the canal is filled.
Other speakers at the seminar emphasized the significance of the stormwater management system in Dhaka city. Brigadier General Muhammad Amirul Islam, chief engineer of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Prof Dr Md Ataur Rahman of the Department of Water Resources Engineering at Buet, and Prof Dr Md Mujibur Rahman of the Department of Civil Engineering at UIU delivered presentations on stormwater systems.
The seminar was attended by Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, as special guest. It was presided over by Prof Dr Md Abul Kashem Mia, vice chancellor (in-charge) of UIU.
The event was attended by faculty members, officials, academics, government officials, researchers, and distinguished guests from various organizations.