PM orders measures to curb pollution in Gulshan-Banani-Baridhara lakes

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed authorities to take necessary measures to protect the environment, control water pollution and ensure integrated waste management for the Gulshan-Banani-Baridhara lakes in Dhaka.

He issued the directives at a meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in the Secretariat on Monday, July 6, where the overall activities to free the lakes from pollution and the sewerage connection systems of buildings in the Gulshan-Banani-Baridhara-Niketan areas were reviewed.

Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu said the prime minister instructed concerned ministries, city corporations and responsible agencies to work in a coordinated manner to remove waste from the lakes, control water pollution and preserve the environment.

Officials at the meeting said short, medium and long-term plans have been adopted to free the lakes from pollution. Special emphasis has been placed on taking swift and effective measures to stop wastewater from buildings from directly flowing into the lakes.

The meeting also discussed the establishment of sewage treatment plants (STP) to protect the lakes' environment, regular cleaning of the lakes and connected canals, waste removal and necessary steps to maintain normal water flow.

Additionally, an effective action plan was discussed to prevent waste from the Korail slum from directly entering the lakes, the deputy press secretary said.

The meeting was attended by Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher Sumon, Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, Housing and Public Works State Minister Ahmad Sohel Manzur, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Milton, RAJUK Chairman Riazul Islam and senior officials of concerned ministries and agencies.