Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed the relevant authorities to expedite the restoration of all canals in and around the capital, as well as the rivers Buriganga, Shitalakshya, Turag, and Balu, as quickly as possible. On Monday, the Prime Minister presented a progress report on river protection and pollution prevention in a meeting at her office’s conference room in Dhaka. The meeting also discussed policy decisions related to the acceptance of relevant projects. The news was reported by BSS.
At the end of the meeting, the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told reporters that seven hotspots had been identified for the restoration of rivers and canals in and around Dhaka. These are Gazipur, Gadaranchatbari, Savar, Purba Chal, Kalyanpur, Narayanganj, and Kamrangirchar. The Prime Minister directed the implementation of integrated projects based on priority in these seven identified hotspots and advised on the phased implementation of river restoration techniques throughout the country. The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, M. Tofazzel Hossain Mia, presented the report at the meeting.
Before the meeting, addressing the gathering, Sheikh Hasina instructed the discontinuation of river pollution and mentioned various steps taken by her government in recent years for river restoration, anti-encroachment, and the return of vessels. She emphasized the need to save Bangladesh’s rivers for its survival. Referring to the impediments created by unplanned low and high bridges, she stated that although these bridges are beneficial for people, the matter of vessel traffic has not been considered during construction. As a result, problems have arisen in navigation, and these bridges have become obstacles.
During the meeting, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, a decision was made to form a National Council. In addition, another decision was taken to form a technical and coordination committee under the leadership of the Prime Minister’s Chief Secretary, along with the formation of a practical implementation committee based on the respective ministries for river restoration.
