PM orders stronger drive to save Dhaka lakes
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday directed relevant agencies to strengthen coordinated efforts to prevent pollution and improve the condition of lakes in Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, Niketan and Dhanmondi.
He stressed stopping sewage discharge into the lakes, regularly removing waste, installing sewage treatment plants (STPs) and speeding up activities by the agencies concerned.
The Prime Minister gave the directives at a meeting he chaired at the Cabinet Division conference room at the Secretariat. The meeting reviewed the current condition of the lakes, sources of pollution and plans for their renovation and development.
Tarique also reviewed progress on renovation, sludge removal and a pilot project at Dhanmondi Lake being implemented by Dhaka South City Corporation.
The meeting was informed that six primary and six secondary points had been identified as sources and channels through which sewage and wastewater enter Gulshan Lake, causing pollution.
A technical committee formed to address the problem presented short-, medium- and long-term recommendations. The meeting stressed blocking all routes through which sewage enters the lake, installing building-level STPs and conducting a detailed survey of the existing sewerage network.
It also recommended conditional collection of sewerage bills in Gulshan-Banani and developing catchment areas to improve water drainage.
To strengthen lake-cleaning activities, the Prime Minister directed that the number of mechanical boats used to remove floating waste be increased from two to 10. He also stressed removing accumulated sludge from lakebeds using floating excavators and maintaining regular cleaning operations.
The meeting emphasised ensuring that applicable buildings install STPs within the stipulated timeframe under the Dhaka Metropolitan Building Construction Rules, 2025. It recommended that Dhaka WASA and Dhaka North City Corporation jointly identify whether sewerage lines from residential and commercial establishments are directly connected to stormwater drains or lakes and disconnect illegal connections.
The meeting also discussed installing aerators to increase oxygen levels in lake water, using biological and chemical methods together to eliminate foul odours and developing a long-term sanitation network.
It was informed that five special teams comprising 42 personnel had already been deployed under RAJUK to ensure the preservation, cleanliness and overall maintenance of the lakes.
Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md Abdus Salam, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar and senior officials concerned attended the meeting.
