Bapa President Prof Muzaffer Ahmad speaks at a press conference at the National Press Club in the city yesterday. Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (Bapa), Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association (Bela), Bangladesh Institute of Planners (Bap), Bangladesh Institute of Architects (BIA) and Centre for Urban Studies (CUS) jointly organised the press conference. Photo: Focus Bangla

Environmental groups and urban planners yesterday demanded the government finalise the detailed area plan (DAP) of Dhaka to meet the increasing demands.
The demand came from a press conference jointly organised by the Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (Bapa), Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association (Bela), Bangladesh Institute of Planners (Bap), Bangladesh Institute of Architects (BIA) and Centre for Urban Studies (CUS) at the Jatiya Press Club in the city.
Bapa President Prof Muzaffer Ahmad said assurance of the basic needs including water, electricity and sewerage of the dwellers of Dhaka city are being minimised every day due to the pressure of an increasing population.
“Pressure on Dhaka city should be minimised through balanced development in all the areas of the country. Steps should be taken to increase the facilities for the the city dwellers,” he said.
Speakers at the press conference said the then Awami League government in 1997 declared two plans under Dhaka Metropolitan Development Plan as the master plan. Later delay in government levels halted the quick implementation of the DAP formulated focusing on the earlier plans -- Structure Plan and Urban Area Plan.
Bapa Joint Secretary Iqbal Habib presented the keynote paper while BIA President Mobassher Hossain, Bela's Chief Executive Syeda Rezwana Hasan, among others, spoke at the press conference.