Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed all relevant authorities to take coordinated action to eliminate river pollution and ensure a clean, liveable environment for future generations.
The directive was issued during a review meeting held at the Bangladesh Secretariat focused on pollution control, waste extraction, river conservation and management around Dhaka, as well as preserving navigability and developing circular waterways.
“Alongside ourselves, we must strive to leave pollution-free rivers and a liveable environment for the next generation. We cannot simply wait for government directives; we must also act out of our own sense of responsibility,” the prime minister said.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Prime Minister’s Assistant Press Secretary Gazi Shahriar Pamir stated that participants assessed measures to remove waste and mitigate pollution in the Buriganga, Turag, Dhaleshwari, Balu, and Shitalakkhya rivers, alongside connected canals and drains. The discussions also prioritized restoring normal water flow, maintaining navigability, and upgrading Dhaka’s circular waterways network.
The prime minister instructed relevant bodies to take immediate steps to execute existing plans and underlined the necessity of seamless coordination among all involved ministries, divisions, and agencies.
Cabinet members in attendance included Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Cooperatives Minister Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan; Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo; Industries and Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir; Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee; and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam.
State ministers present were Mir Shahe Alam (LGRD and Cooperatives), Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki (Planning), Md. Razib Ahsan (Shipping), and Shaikh Faridul Islam (Environment, Forest and Climate Change).
The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Dr. Md. Saimum Parvez, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister A B M Abdus Sattar, Commander of Bangladesh Navy’s Dhaka Naval Area Rear Admiral Abdullah-Al-Maqsoos, departmental secretaries, administrators of the Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Gazipur city corporations, and other senior officials.
Source: The Bangladesh Today — https://thebangladeshtoday.com/?p=36754
