DHAKA, Aug 19, 2018 (BSS)-The existing slums in the city would be replaced
by multi-storey buildings to allow the inhabitants to live in a healthy and
better condition.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced this today while laying the
foundation of Dasherkandi Sewerage Treatment Plant at a function at Hotel
Sonargaon here today.
“There would have no slums in the city, rather 20 storied buildings would
be constructed for slum people where they would live by giving rent on daily,
weekly and monthly basis,” she said.
“Poor people come to cities for many reasons and live in shanties… we
need them every day in our daily work. So, they need a better atmosphere to
live,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said slum people will be able to live in flats in exchange
for the same amount they now pay for living in slums and we have to give
attention to proving them with a standard life as country’s economy is
getting better.
“Benefit of the country’s economic progress would not only go to the
higher-class people, poor people should also get the benefit of the
development,” she said.
The Dasherkandi Sewerage Treatment Plant is being constructed at a cost of
about Taka 332 crore with Chinese government’s support as part of the Dhaka
WASA’s master plan to bring the city under pipeline sewerage system by 2025.
Four more sewerage treatment plants would be constructed in Dhaka City to
put in place a sustainable and environment friendly water management and
sewerage system under the master plan.
Two of the sewerage plants would be constructed at Pagla and Uttara with
World Bank support and two others at Rayerbazar and Mirpur with the
assistance of Asia Development Bank (ADB).
LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain, senior
secretary of local Government Division Dr Jafor Ahmed Khan, and Chinese
Ambassador to Bangladesh Zhung Zuo aslo spoke on the occasion while managing
director of Dhaka WASA Taqsem A Khan gave the welcome address.
The prime minister reiterated that the box culverts built illegally in the
city destroying the water drainage system and canals would be demolished if
her government comes to power next time.
The water channels would be restored and elevated roads would be
constructed there for vehicular movement.
Multi-storey housing facilities would be extended to Dhaka’s suburban areas
to reduce pressure on the capital, she said.
Sheikh Hasina appreciated the WASA employees for their sincere services to
make the public utility body as an effective one during the tenure of her
government.
However, she urged them to remain alert about those people who create
unwarranted trouble in implementing a development project.
Sheikh Hasina said Dhaka WASA was beset with irregularities for a long
time.
Awami League government during its 1996-2001 tenure had taken many projects
to free it from those irregularities, she said.
But, the development projects of Dhaka WASA failed to continue its pace
after change of the government in 2001. Success in implementation of
development projects is now visible due to continuation of the government in
2014, she said.
Laying importance on regular dredging of the rivers and canals, the prime
minister said surrounding rivers are the main sources of water for sewerage
plants of Dhaka City.
So, the government has already undertaken projects for removing the sludge
from bottom of the rivers, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the water flow of the Jamuna River is being joined with
the rivers surrounding Dhaka to increase their tides in lean period.
Dhaka WASA would continue its efforts to protect the existing canals, she
hoped.
Pointing out the steps taken by her government to ensure production and
supply of water, the prime minister said development partners now consider
WASA a role model in South Asia in giving water services.
Sheikh Hasina urged the concerned officials to work sincerely to achieve
the SDG Goal No 6, which envisages a safe drinking water and sewerage system
by 2030.
The government has also prepared ‘Bangladesh Delta Plan- 2100’, a 100-year
plan to ensure long-term integrated water management, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the Dasherkandi Sewerage Plant would help giving modern
sewerage services to about five million people living in Hatirjeel, Gulshan,
Banani, Baridhara, Basundhara, Sangsad Bhaban and adjacent areas.