AF Hasan Arif, Advisor to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives and Lands said, In the past years, poor houses have been demolished in the name of eviction of illegal squatters around the river. But there are huge buildings next to these houses. He also said that most of the housemaids of the capital live in the houses in the areas where the houses were demolished in the name of eviction. It is not right to evict like this. The advisor said these things in the speech of the honored guest at the seminar titled ‘Blue Network Around Dhaka City’ at the Pani Bhavan in Dhaka on Wednesday (09 October 2024 AD). Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Ministry of Water Resources Syeda Rizwana Hasan was present in the seminar as an honored guest. Hasan Arif said, we have formed a committee by coordinating the experts. Our first task will be to identify the problem based on their suggestions. Then find a solution As we know, proper rules and regulations are not followed in road construction. We need to collectively start the action plan now. Decisions should be taken after scrutinizing the recommendations coming from the experts.
Adilur Rahman said that canals, rivers and canals in Dhaka city have come to a state that we never expected. The eviction drive of the illegal occupants should be initiated.
If we cannot rescue the rivers and canals from the illegal occupants, then the people will not see the results of the coup in July-August. For this, the Ministry will do what is necessary. Syeda Rizwana Hasan said in the president’s speech, “If we do not think about Dhaka’s canals and rivers, then we will not be able to save Dhaka.” To save Dhaka’s rivers and canals, an integrated action plan must be adopted. The real picture of each canal of Dhaka should be found. We need to develop an immediate, mid-term and 3-year roadmap and integrated action plan to protect Dhaka’s rivers and canals.
The current generation has never seen a clean canal in the capital.
In his speech, he stressed the importance of taking the program of de-encroachment of canals and rivers of Dhaka by involving all concerned including Ministry of Local Government, Rajuk, City Corporation. Besides, he urged the concerned parties to be cost-effective in implementing the project to clear the canals of Dhaka from pollution and encroachment. Nazmul Hasan, Secretary of Ministry of Water Resources, Director General of Bangladesh Water Development Board Muhammad Amirul Haque Bhuyna and others were present in the seminar.