Development Work in Capital: DNCC mayor warns of action against non-compliant contractors
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam yesterday warned individuals and institutions of penalties starting December 20, if they fail to follow compliance during any development work.
He made the announcement at a roundtable titled “Unplanned pollution in Dhaka: Citizens reflect” at Jatiya Press Club.
“We have sought more magistrates from the government to conduct drives against polluters. We are also asking traders who are running different types of operations, polluting environment, to stop their businesses,” said Atiqul.
He said, “Contractors of city corporations, Rajuk, Wasa and other organisations have to be environmentally compliant in Dhaka. If you (contractors) cannot abide by that, our magistrates will take action.”
The mayor also warned businessmen who deal with plastic bottles and chips, saying: “You [businessmen] will either have to change your mode of conducting business, or find an alternate way to dispose or recycle plastic bottles.”
He further said citizens are the ones who suffer from waterlogging due to plastic bottles in the streets, which should not happen.
It is the responsibility of producers to ensure that plastic bottles do not end up on the streets, causing harm to the environment, Atiqul added.
“We are creating a death trap during our development works. Pollution is one of the main causes of cardiac arrest,” said public health expert Dr Lelin Chowdhury.
Every year, around 2 lakh people suffer cardiac arrests in the country, he said.
Lelin suggested necessary assessment before starting development works, to reduce pollution.
“We have always been in the top four of the list of unlivable cities in the world, and are still maintaining the position,” said Lelin.
The main cause of air pollution in Dhaka is brick kilns around the city, and the second is black smoke of vehicles, he said.
Suggesting the mayor to ensure environment-friendly businesses in the city, architect Iqbal Habib, joint secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon, said former mayor Annisul Huq took the initiative, and he is remembered well for that.
General secretary of Bangladesh Institute of Planners Adilur Rahman Khan, who presented a keynote paper at the programme, said it is now time to address the harm of sound pollution.
There are lots of things in the planning for Dhaka city, but there is lacking in implementation, said Adil.
Chairman of Paribesh Bachao Andolon Abu Naser Khan said excessive population is the first problem of the city, and second is the tendency of rapid development.
The roundtable was chaired by president of Dhaka Utility Reporters Association Moshiur Rahman Khan, while its general secretary Tofazzal Hossain Rubel moderated the programme.
Comments