Dhaka is not livable: Mirza Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General and LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir observed that the capital Dhaka is gradually losing its livability.

He said: "People are not able to live normally due to the city's environment, water, drainage and infrastructure crisis."

He said this while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of 'Dokkhiner Janala' and a seminar titled 'Citizen's Thoughts and Actions' organized by the Dhaka South City Corporation in Paltan, the capital on Saturday (June 6).

Mirza Fakhrul said that Dhaka metropolis does not feel livable. It is not even in a state where one can breathe. Every institution is on the verge of collapse. If this situation cannot be overcome, it will become difficult to live here.

He said that long-term and effective initiatives must be taken to implement structural plans for urban development. He also called for getting rid of the mentality that responsibility ends once the project is completed.

Expressing concern over the capital's water supply system, Mirza Fakhrul said that Dhaka's water is in a terrible condition. It needs to be purified. At the same time, effective steps must be taken to solve the city's major problems, including earthquake risk and pollution of the Buriganga and Turag rivers.

Criticizing the drainage system, he said that drains built at a cost of thousands of crores of taka are losing their usefulness for water drainage in many cases. He also emphasized the need to take planned and sustainable measures to resolve waterlogging.

In his speech as the president at the seminar, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam said that the City Corporation is working to build a modern and livable city for its citizens.

He said that various initiatives are underway to restore the heritage of ancient Dhaka, rehabilitate hawkers and resolve waterlogging.

Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bakul and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr. SM Ziauddin Haider also spoke at the event.