Bridges obstructing water vessel movement to be demolished: minister
Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives (LGRD) Minister Tajul Islam yesterday said the bridges around Dhaka which are creating obstacles in plying of water vessels will be demolished and new bridges will be built there.
Tajul, also chairman of the master plan committee to free river, prevent pollution and increase navigability, said 90 percent of the rivers around the capital have been freed from grabbing, but there are still complications in some places due to construction of religious establishments.
"Anyone illegally occupying rivers and canals will be evicted and (waterbodies) will be freed from encroachment," the minister said.
Tajul was briefing reporters after a meeting of the master plan committee at the local government department of the ministry.
The minister said the government has taken up the project aimed at connecting the capital's canals. There will be walkways on both sides of the waterbodies and water transport for people, he added.
On completion of the master plan, the minister said work has already started and the 10-year plan will be completed in the designated timeframe.
Tajul said many projects have been taken up by various ministries, departments and agencies for the development of the capital, including freeing the rivers, preventing pollution and increasing navigability.
A committee will be formed to check whether there is more than one project for the same work. "There is no alternative to coordinating with all organisations by eliminating mismanagement in the projects," he said.
To this end, a list of the projects taken by the ministry, city corporations and other organisations have been sought. All of them will be brought under the master plan, the minister said.
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation Selina Hayat Ivy and Mayor of Gazipur City Corporation Jahangir Alam participated in the meeting.
Besides, senior secretary to LGD, secretary of Prime Minister's Office, chairman of National River Commission and chairman of BIWTA, among others, were present.
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