BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has declared that Dhaka is no longer a livable city due to air, water, and environmental pollution.
He added that he personally no longer wishes to reside in the capital, preferring instead to settle permanently in a quieter city elsewhere in the country.
He shared these views on Saturday during the ‘Window to the South’ event organised by Dhaka South City Corporation. Fakhrul criticised the billions spent on development projects in the city, questioning how much benefit the residents actually receive.
He emphasised that building a truly livable city requires not just large projects, but proper planning, accountability, and structural reforms, which must be considered before undertaking any new works.
Expressing his concern, the minister said, “The air we breathe outside our homes is now toxic. Ordinary people cannot rely on government hospitals for treatment. All institutions are moving toward decay. Without revitalising them, building a beautiful Dhaka will remain a dream, because inhaling toxic air makes every other development meaningless.”
Fakhrul urged that clean air be ensured so that citizens can live healthy lives and called for a social movement to create a livable urban environment. He stressed that raising awareness among ordinary people alone is insufficient; policymakers, city administrators, and planners must also be held accountable for their work.
Highlighting the role of the city corporation, he noted, “This is an autonomous local government institution. All major cities operate effectively through elected mayors and self-governing corporations. Our institutions must operate with greater responsibility, patriotism, and thoughtful planning.”
Reflecting on river pollution, Fakhrul recalled his youth, when he and friends often rowed boats along the Buriganga. Today, the river is so polluted and foul-smelling that even approaching its banks is impossible. He warned that if rivers continue to deteriorate, residents will face even greater challenges. He also cited the Shitalakshya River, whose condition is worsening similarly, and questioned where Dhaka’s people will stand if this continues.
Fakhrul criticised the project-based mindset in the country, where the focus is on completing projects rather than long-term impact. He also expressed concern over the city’s water crisis, noting that much of the water is unfit for consumption and groundwater levels are falling, posing a major risk for the entire capital.
Finally, he called for urgent measures to save the rivers, particularly the Buriganga, lamenting the lack of effective initiatives despite numerous projects passed by the government. He assured that he would engage with relevant authorities to discuss how to restore the Buriganga and Turag rivers to a pollution-free state.
