(BSS) - State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam has directed authorities concerned to further expedite ongoing activities to prevent pollution of the rivers and waterways surrounding Dhaka and to ensure uninterrupted water flow through the canals of the metropolitan

city.

He gave the directive while delivering his concluding remarks at a meeting in the capital to review the overall progress of canal excavation activities under the city corporations within Dhaka Metropolitan City, as well as the operations of sewage treatment plants under the Dhaka WASA.

Alam said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has placed emphasis on restoring the beauty of the rivers surrounding Dhaka by freeing them from pollution and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of water, said an official handout here today.

In line with the Prime Minister`s directives, ongoing activities concerning the canals and rivers of Dhaka must be advanced under an integrated plan, he said.

He said work must be accelerated on cleaning the canals under the jurisdiction of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), demarcating their boundaries, restoring water flow, and constructing necessary infrastructure.

To ensure long-term benefits, modern and sustainable plans should be adopted, and initiatives should be taken to undertake new projects where necessary, he added.

At the meeting, the progress of ongoing activities involving the cleaning and boundary demarcation of 26 canals under Dhaka South City Corporation and 29 canals under Dhaka North City Corporation, as well as the construction of retaining walls and walkways, was reviewed.

The respective project directors presented updates on project progress, implementation status, and various challenges.

The state minister emphasized the importance of regularly reviewing the progress of the projects, ensuring effective coordination among the relevant agencies, and promptly resolving problems arising during implementation.

Local Government Secretary Md. Shahidul Hassan, DSCC Administrator Md. Abdus Salam, heads of the relevant departments, Dhaka WASA Managing Director (MD) Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman, DNCC Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Asaduzzaman, heads of the relevant departments, all project directors associated with
Dhaka WASA`s sewage treatment plant projects, and senior officials of the ministry concerned were present at the meeting.