PM outlines 12-point plan for cleaner, greener Dhaka
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented a 12-point action plan aimed at turning Dhaka into a clean and green capital on Wednesday.
Responding to a question from treasury bench MP Abul Kalam (Cumilla-9) during the parliamentary session, he said coordinated efforts are underway through Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporations under the Local Government Division to improve urban cleanliness and environmental conditions.
He said weekly awareness programmes, intensified cleanliness drives and mosquito control activities are being implemented to strengthen civic responsibility and public engagement.
The Prime Minister also said secondary waste transfer stations are being upgraded with landscaping, greenery and awareness-based graffiti to support environmentally friendly waste management.
He added that a plan has been taken to convert the Matuail landfill into an integrated circular economy-based waste management and energy production facility with investment from a Korean private company, aiming for a zero-waste system.
Tarique Rahman expressed optimism that these integrated measures would gradually transform Dhaka into a cleaner and greener city.
In his written statement, he said tree plantation programmes are being carried out in road medians, islands and open spaces under Dhaka South City Corporation, while Dhaka North City Corporation is implementing urban forestry projects, including Miyawaki plantations.
A target has been set to plant five lakh trees in DNCC areas over the next five years. Trees will also be planted under metro rail lines from Mirpur-12 to Mirpur DOHS and beneath the elevated expressway from Abdullahpur to Farmgate.
He said priority has been given to reducing environmental pollution, with the Department of Environment and Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority working jointly to introduce modern transport systems, including 250 electric buses.
Authorities, with support from the World Bank, have identified major sources of air pollution in Dhaka. Mobile courts are being conducted regularly against vehicles emitting black smoke and against pollution from construction activities.
Illegal brick kilns around Dhaka are also being shut down, while Savar Upazila has been declared a degraded airshed with a ban on brick kilns and open waste burning.
The Prime Minister further said installation of effluent treatment plants (ETPs) has been made mandatory for industries to prevent water pollution. So far, 248 establishments have installed ETPs, while monitoring through cameras is ongoing.
He added that pollution sources in major rivers including the Buriganga, Shitalakshya, Balu and Turag, as well as 19 canals in Dhaka, have been identified.
Under joint initiatives of multiple agencies, 41,565 saplings of fruit-bearing, medicinal, forest and ornamental trees have already been planted on road medians, canal banks and other public spaces.
He said the government is also implementing a nationwide plan to plant 25 crore trees over the next five years, with special focus on available vacant lands to make Dhaka more livable, green and environmentally sustainable.
