Govt seeks public support to make Dhaka livable

The government has taken a set of coordinated initiatives to improve Dhaka’s waste management, drainage and civic services as part of efforts to turn the capital into a cleaner, more planned and livable city, Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a seminar in the capital, he said government and city corporation efforts alone would not be enough to keep the city clean, stressing the need for active public participation and responsible civic behaviour.

The minister said Dhaka reflects a blend of urban and rural cultures and underscored the importance of strengthening civic discipline and public awareness to develop a modern urban culture.

“Waste management has long remained a major challenge for Dhaka due to the city’s growing population as the country’s principal economic hub,” he said.

The minister said the desired improvement in waste management could be achieved if every citizen performs their responsibilities from their respective positions.

Referring to AI-based traffic management, he said people are capable of following rules when effective monitoring and awareness measures are in place.

“As compliance with traffic rules is increasing through proper supervision and awareness, similar positive changes can also be achieved in waste management,” he said.

The government is implementing various initiatives in line with the prime minister’s directives to make waste management more modern, effective and citizen-friendly, he said, adding that their success would require coordinated efforts by the government, city corporations and the public.

Meanwhile, DNCC Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan said the city corporation has been carrying out its public service activities with the support of responsible and conscious citizens.

He said the DNCC would work in coordination with other agencies to prevent waterlogging caused by heavy rainfall in the future.

The administrator said cooperation from residents would be essential to free the 29 canals under the DNCC from encroachment and carry out excavation and rehabilitation work to ensure smooth water flow.

He pledged to work with local residents to remove encroachments from Mirpur canals and urged citizens to dispose of waste only at designated places instead of dumping it indiscriminately.

He also stressed the need for improved drainage infrastructure and keeping drains free from waste to eliminate urban waterlogging.

Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the remarks while addressing a seminar titled “Urban Waste Management is the Responsibility of All of Us” as the chief guest at the auditorium of Dhaka North City Corporation.