Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Saturday observed its “Cleaning Day” programme simultaneously across all 10 zones under the slogan, “Let’s keep our own premises clean and build a clean city.”
The initiative was organised to encourage the direct participation of citizens in maintaining urban cleanliness, reads a press release.
DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam attended the joint programme of zones 1 and 2 in the capital’s Shantinagar area as the chief guest.
The programme is observed on the first Saturday of every month across the DSCC area as “Cleaning Day” to support the weekly cleanliness day announced by the prime minister.
As part of the initiative, government and private institutions, educational institutions, markets, shopping complexes and city residents were encouraged to keep their own premises and surrounding areas clean.
Citizens were also urged to dispose of waste only at designated places instead of littering indiscriminately and to remain vigilant in preventing dengue.
The day-long programme included cleanliness drives in different areas, public awareness rallies, leaflet distribution and efforts to strengthen social partnerships for ensuring sustainable waste management.
Speaking at the programme, Abdus said, “Building a clean and dengue-free city is not possible through the efforts of the city corporation alone. A beautiful city can only be built when citizens and the city corporation work together.
If everyone keeps their own premises clean and ensures that water does not accumulate in places where Aedes mosquitoes can breed, controlling dengue during this season will become easier.
At the same time, if waste is disposed of at designated places instead of being thrown indiscriminately, the city will remain clean, while canals and drains will remain functional, helping reduce waterlogging.”
He also said that behavioural change among citizens is essential for building a clean city. Alongside its regular cleanliness activities, the DSCC will further strengthen public awareness programmes so that maintaining cleanliness becomes a daily habit for city residents.
Among others present at the programme were DSCC Chief Executive Officer Md Jahirul Islam, Chief Waste Management Officer Air Commodore Md Mahbubur Rahman Talukdar, Secretary Md Zaynul Abedin, regional executive officers of the DSCC, officials and employees of the relevant departments, local public representatives, members of social and voluntary organisations, students, businessmen and citizens from all walks of life, who participated in the programme enthusiastically.
