Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Md Tajul Islam on Tuesday urged all to come forward towards making Dhaka livable.
“Everyone has to actively participate to tackle the challenges to make Dhaka livable,” the minister said this while speaking at a seminar on “Political Economy of Urban Green Spaces of Dhaka City” organised at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) campus.
Speaking as the chief guest, Tajul said if the government is going to implement any public policy, some people stand against it, fearing the policy could harm his or her own interest. The minister urged everyone to nurture responsibilities and awareness for the planned Dhaka city.
Mentioning the ‘Detailed Area Plan (DAP)’, Tajul Islam said, “I have been performing my duties given by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with utmost diligence and sincerity. “Civic facilities including living and open space, playground, green and water areas ensured in ‘Detailed Area Plan (DAP). Everyone including journalists and civil society should come forward to implement the plan,” he added. “We have to consider the population of the city to ensure necessary civic facilities for all,” the minister said, questioning how Dhaka can maintain livability if 20 thousand people live in a place where facilities can be ensured for five thousand people.
“It’s a big challenge to save green space, playground in the city while many many people are coming to the already overpopulated city. We have to reduce pressure on Dhaka city,” he said.
“City dwellers are in more comfort than before as the responsibility of city’s canals were transferred to the city corporations from WASA.” he said, urging citizens to perform their responsibilities with diligence and sincerity to move forward the country and society. Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr Satya Prasad Majumder presided over the seminar while BUET Pro-VC Professor Dr Abdul Jabbar Khan, USAID Bangladesh Office of Economic Growth Director Mohammad N Khan joined the seminar as the special guests.