Spl drive to retrieve six grabbed canals kicks off

A special drive to recover six grabbed canals in the capital city began on Sunday aiming to establish a blue network to enhance environmental, economic and social development of the city through giving the water-bodies a new lease of life.

To this effect, an inaugural ceremony of six canal renovation programme was held on the bank of Baunia Canal in Mirpur.

Of the six, four canals Baunia, Karail, Rupnagar and Begunbari are under the jurisdiction of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Manda and Kalunagar are under the authority of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).

Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works Adilur Rahman Khan, and Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government Rural Development and Cooperatives Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain were present at the inaugural ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, Syeda Rizwana Hasan said committees will be formed comprising city dwellers to monitor and prevent garbage dumping in the canals.

She also expressed the hope that the authorities concerned will be able to completely recover six canals before next monsoon and work for other canals will begin.

"Activities to recover 19 canals and make them pollution-free will be accomplished by this year," she said.

Adilur Rahman Khan urged the citizens to pay special attention to waste management and drainage system management.

Shojib Bhuyain said the interim government is working on various reforms, and in this regard, 'Dhaka North Model Plan' has been undertaken to solve urban problems.

"This plan, centring the Dhaka North City Corporation, will be a role model for urban management," he added.

DNCC Administrator Mahmudul Hasan, RAJUK chairman Major General Md Siddiqur Rahman Sarker (Retd) and top officials from different government agencies were also present at the inaugural ceremony.

Meanwhile, a 'red carpet' placed on the floating excavator ignited controversy through posts across social media and some news outlets.

In this regard, the DNCC issued a press note explaining its stance.

It said the floating excavator was not placed on a permanent pontoon, rather on a temporary one.

"In addition, since the walkway leading to the excavator is very steep and muddy, and the floor of the excavator is slippery, a red carpet-like matt has been used to ensure the safe movement of guests and to make the movement area visible," the DNCC said.

"This is not a formal red carpet, but rather a measure put in place solely for security reasons. There is no intention of any kind of extravagance or excessive show of respect," it added.

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