Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has launched a pilot project deploying “city inspectors” to promote good habits among citizens, including keeping yards clean, preventing waterlogging to curb Aedes mosquito breeding, and stopping indiscriminate waste dumping.
The six-month “Clean Yard” pilot project, funded by Achi Bangladesh (American Affordable Community Healthcare Initiative), began on Wednesday in Motijheel’s Ward No 9 and will run until 9 December. A total of 20 city inspectors will work in the field during this period.
The programme was inaugurated at Nagar Bhaban auditorium under the theme “Change Yourself, Change Dhaka” by Md Abdus Salam, administrator of DSCC.
The initiative, titled “Angina Porishkar, Shohor Porishkar”, aims to improve the environment, reduce air pollution, prevent dengue, and ensure a safe and healthy living space in the Motijheel area.
Speaking as chief guest, Administrator Abdus Salam said keeping a city clean is not solely the responsibility of the city corporation.
“It requires citizens’ awareness and active participation. If every home, shop, and institution keeps its yard clean, the entire city will become liveable,” he said.
“The programme launched today in Ward No 9 will serve as a model for the entire city,” he added.
The administrator said the primary task of the City Inspectors will be to raise awareness and help build a culture of cleanliness. Praising the Achi Bangladesh initiative, he noted the close relationship between health protection and cleanliness.
“If citizens become aware, the problems of dengue outbreaks, dust, air pollution, and waterlogging will be significantly reduced,” he said.
Once Ward No 9 becomes a model ward, the programme will be gradually extended to all other wards, the administrator confirmed.
Key features of the programme include: The Motijheel area will be divided into 10 zones, with 20 City Inspectors working in the field; inspectors will visit homes, shops, and institutions to communicate directly with citizens, distribute awareness leaflets, identify potential Aedes breeding grounds, and provide advice; monitoring and surveys will assess whether citizens are properly disposing of waste in designated places. Responsible and irresponsible citizens will be identified, and this information will be publicised socially.
Representatives of ‘Achi Bangladesh’, City Inspectors, senior DSCC officials, and local dignitaries were present at the event.
