Taking up development projects: Keep in mind ecology, environment

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday directed authorities concerned to pay attention to environment and ecology while taking up any development project.

"Everybody has to pay attention to environment in any project. The project has to be implemented keeping water reservoirs, adequate green area and rainwater harvesting system in it," she said.

The PM gave the directives to the authorities concerned while witnessing the designs of four projects at the Gono Bhaban. The designs were presented by the housing and public works ministry and the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), said a press release of the Press Wing of the Prime Minister's Office.

The four projects are: Keraniganj Waterfront Smart City, Conservation of Flood Zone at Turag River and Compact Township Development, Construction of Sheikh Hasina International Convention Centre at Zajira end of the Padma bridgeand Construction of Multistoried Residential Building for Government Officials and Employees at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka.

Hasina asked the authorities to make sure that industries can't be developed in an unplanned way. She said industrial establishments will have to be set up at a specific industrial zone in every area.

Emphasising the enhancement of diversity in setting up new industrial enterprises, she said importance should be given to development of agro-processing and IT device-related industrial firms.

The premier also stressed the need for increasing exports and providing subsidies to small industries in this regard.

Jatiya Sangsad Chief Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury, Awami League Publicity and Publication Secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap, PMO Senior Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah, and Housing and Public Works Secretary Shahid Ullah Khandaker, among others, were present.