The government is all set to launch a project, involving $80 billion, with an aim to free Dhaka city from indiscriminate digging, wastes and dust.
Local government, Rural Development and Cooperative Minister Tajul Islam, as the chief guest of an installation program of City Development Journalist Forum Bangladesh (CDJFB), made the remarks at CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka on Saturday.
“There is no actual data on how many utility lines pass under which city roads. Different utility provider organization dig the road in different time 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,” he said.
The minister said they recently held a meeting with World Bank to find out how the road digging problem can be solved where the global lender proposed a project to free the city from indiscriminate digging, waste and dust involving $80 billion.
He further said the government is going to purchase modern sweeping trucks and equipment at a cost of Tk200 crore.
Speaking as the special guest, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam said they want to turn Dhaka into a smart city.
“We have launched '333' helpline service and we have prepared all necessary things to launch city app,” he said.
The mayor said legal action will be taken and fines will be imposed against polluters.
“I would like to use nine months of experience as a mayor on this endeavour to free Dhaka from pollution," he said.
General Secretary of Bangladesh Institute of Planners Dr Adil Mohammad Khan said development cannot be sustainable which decrease the living standard of citizen.
“We have to take coordinated measures to make the development sustainable,” he stated.
General Secretary of National Press Club Farida Yeasmin, CDJFB president Motin Abdullah, General secretary SM Foyez, among others also spoke.
During the programme, the chief guest distributed wishing crests to newly elected members of CDJFB.
