Dhaka’s overpopulation to blame for its unliveability: Tajul

DU Correspondent :
Local Government and Rural Development Minister Md Tajul Islam said that how the habitability of Dhaka city will be maintained where (the space) there are facilities for 5,000 citizen but at least 20,000 people live.
He said, “We have to take this matter into consideration. What will be the population inside Dhaka, what civic facilities are required for them should be considered”.
He said this while speaking as a chief guest at a seminar on ‘Political Economy of Urban Green Spaces of Dhaka City’ held at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) on Monday.
Mentioning the importance of every one’s sense of responsibility and awareness for the planned city of Dhaka, he said, “That is why policy makers, city planners, and everyone in the society should work from their respective positions”.
The minister also said that whenever any plan or public policy is implemented in Bangladesh, whenever it goes against someone’s interest, he takes a stand against that plan. He said, this kind of mentality should be avoided for the welfare of the community.
Mentioning the Detailed Area Plan (DAP), the minister said, “In the formulation of DAP, civic amenities have been ensured including living spaces, open spaces, playgrounds, green and water areas. Everyone including journalists and civil society should come forward to implement good plans”.
Mentioning that the Dhaka is the most populous city in the world, the minister said that the pressure on this city should be reduced.
“The protection of open spaces, play grounds or green areas is a big challenge for us with the large number of people entering Dhaka every day”, he added.
Among others, BUET’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. Abdul Jabbar Khan, Mohammad N Khan, Director of the Office of the Economic Growth of USAID, were present, while the event chaired by BUET Vice-Chancellor Satya Prasad Majumder.