The construction of any infrastructure in the capital would require approval from Rajuk as well as City Corporations.
Local government, rural development and co-operatives minister Md Tajul Islam informed about the latest move while addressing a review meeting of the steps taken by Dhaka North and South and Chittagong City Corporations to alleviate water logging in the coming monsoon season at the conference room of the ministry on Sunday.
The minister also asked the mayors to be vigilant so that no one faces any difficulty while seeking permission from the city corporation.
The Minister for Local Government said that in order to construct any types of infrastructure including houses by the concerned ministries, departments, agencies and private organizations or individuals, permission has to be obtained from the City Corporation in addition to Rajuk. Monitoring of approved installations also needs to be carried out properly.
He said “Truck stands, markets and residential houses have been constructed by occupying the canal at Basila in Mohammadpur. Out of 173 acres of land in Kalyanpur, all the lands except 3 acres have been illegally occupied.”
“Eviction campaigns are underway not only in North City Corporation but also in South City Corporation. No matter who illegally occupies the canals, they will be recovered,” he added.
Mentioning that there will be no waterlogging in the capital in the coming monsoon, the minister said that the mayor of Dhaka North-South and Chittagong City Corporation and the concerned organizations have to take all necessary steps to prevent waterlogging.
“If you plan only by holding a formal meeting, you cannot expect good results. That is why everyone has to work together,” the Minister said.
He further said that one of the main reasons for waterlogging in Dhaka is construction of infrastructure by occupying canals and reservoirs. As the canals were handed over from WASA to the two city corporations, the canals were being renovated, vacated and illegal structures being evicted.
“I hope there will be no waterlogging problem in the capital this year. It is essential to coordinate the work of all the ongoing projects of different ministries or departments. The mayors have to take drastic action if needed for public interest,” he said.
The minister also decided to form a sub-committee headed by Muhammad Ibrahim, Additional Secretary, Local Government Department, to look into the issue of waterlogging, rescue, renovation, de-occupation and beautification of Chittagong City Corporation.
Meanwhile, the mayors of North-South and Chittagong City Corporations informed about their preparations for resolving waterlogging.
Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam was present at the meeting virtually. Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Chittagong City Corporation Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Local Government Department Senior Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed and other senior officials of government departments and the city corporations and concerned ministries were present at the meeting.
