Rivers around Dhaka city to be freed from pollution: Khalid

A polluted and clogged canal in Dhaka cityProthom Alo file photo

State minister for shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Friday said rivers and canals within and around Dhaka city will be freed from pollution and encroachment in line with a master plan, reports news agency BSS.

“We will work with LGRD ministry and other stakeholders in a coordinated manner to make rivers and canals pollution free,” he told newsmen while visiting the activities of setting up boundary pillars and river embankment protection at Turag, Balu and Shitalakkhya rivers on waterways.

During the visit, he planted a tree sapling at the Hardi Bazar area in Purbachal, an official release said.

Khalid said they did not get expected support from Dhaka city corporations and Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) in the last one and a half years

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) chairman commodore Golam Sadeque, member (operations) Nurul Alam and member (engineering) AKM Matiur Rahman, among others, were present on the occasion.

Khalid said they did not get expected support from Dhaka city corporations and Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) in the last one and a half years.

He said the incumbent Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) mayor has taken a strong stance and took massive programme to free canals from pollution and encroachment.

The state minister said concerted efforts of all relevant organisations would make it possible to ensure normal flow of waters in canals and river and stop all sorts of pollutions.