The government has formed a high-powered committee headed by State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam to keep Dhaka’s lakes clean, ensure water flow, and find a permanent solution to the capital’s chronic waterlogging problem.
The decision came at an exchange meeting on Sunday at the Bangladesh Secretariat, attended by presidents of the Gulshan, Banani, Dhanmondi, and Baridhara societies, along with officials from RAJUK, Dhaka WASA, and both city corporations.
State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said short-term, medium-term, and long-term plans have been adopted for the beautification and cleanliness of the lakes.
“Visible changes will be seen in the management of the capital’s lakes and canals within the next six months,” he said.
He added that cleanliness drives and awareness initiatives have been intensified in preparation for the upcoming dengue season and sought media and civil society cooperation.
The state minister announced that the government is making it mandatory for all restaurants, residential hotels, and cafes in city corporation areas to install ramps and separate toilets for persons with disabilities.
“If these facilities are not installed within the stipulated time, the trade license of the concerned establishment will be cancelled or its renewal suspended,” he warned.
The meeting emphasised effective implementation of mandatory septic tanks and sewage treatment plants (STPs) for building construction under RAJUK’s amended regulations.
For old buildings, six months have been given to install septic tanks and two years for STPs. New buildings must comply according to RAJUK-approved designs.
The meeting also discussed launching water buses by interconnecting Dhaka’s lakes, constructing walkways, and undertaking various beautification activities to reduce traffic congestion and improve the urban environment.
The state minister called upon society representatives to submit action plans for their respective areas to the ministry in coordination with city corporations and RAJUK.
The Prime Minister’s Assistant Personal Secretary, Abdur Rahman Sani, urged a complete shutdown of sewage lines into lakes and suggested arranging food for animals at certain designated points in the city.
RAJUK Chairman, Dhaka WASA Managing Director, and city corporation CEOs present at the meeting expressed their commitment to working in unity.
