2024-03-06 21:26:21
Reservoirs in the capital are on the verge of disappearing. However, on the instructions of the Prime Minister, work is underway to ensure the flow of water by opening the reservoirs, said Tajul Islam, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives.
The Minister said this in response to a question from Noakhali-2 Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Morshed Alam in the National Parliament on Tuesday (March 5). Speaker of the parliament session. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury chaired the question and answer table.
The minister said that the reservoirs in the densely populated capital Dhaka are gradually disappearing. According to the direction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the program of opening the reservoirs in Dhaka and ensuring the flow of water is ongoing. In case of fire or accident, Dhaka WASA provides full support to fire service in immediate fire extinguishing. He also said that the process of renovating the canals and removing illegal encroachment is underway to increase the source of water in the capital.
In response to a question from MP Naser Shahriar Zahedi, he said that vigorous action is being taken against the eviction of illegally built residential buildings and business establishments occupying various canals and drains of Dhaka city. On 24 December 2018, in the election public meeting in Char area of Kamrangir, as per the instructions of the Prime Minister, the process of eviction of illegal structures was completed and Adi Buriganga returned to its former state.
The minister said that long-term accumulation in canals, drains, reservoirs (Jirani canal, Manda canal, Segunbagicha-Arambagh canal, Gogan-Basabo canal, Shyampur canal and Kalungar canal) and box culverts (Segunbagicha, Panthpath and Paribagh) for smooth flow of rainwater in the city. The filth, rubbish and debris have been cleared, illegal encroachment eviction operations are underway to ensure smooth flow of water to nearby rivers or drains.
He further said that 8 lakh 98 thousand 733 crore rupees have been allocated for the development of four canals (Manda, Jirani, Kalungar and Shyampur) with a length of about 20 km under the canal restoration, renovation and creation of aesthetic environment project and to re-connect with the river, ensure normal flow and improve navigability. The canal development project with conventional cost has been taken up. Later all kinds of illegal structures will be removed and aesthetic environment of the canals will be created.