Efforts on to keep rivers around Dhaka pollution-free: Rabiul

Road Transport, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam said on Friday that the government was working to make the waterways around Dhaka free-flowing, operational and safe by freeing the rivers from encroachment and pollution.
He said an integrated plan was being implemented involving relevant agencies, including the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA), Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation, to keep the Buriganga, Balu and Dhaleshwari rivers free from pollution.
The minister made the remarks while addressing a prize-giving ceremony for the winners of a boat race held aboard the century-old traditional steamer PS Mahmud, anchored at Swarighat.
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) organised the race as part of the month-long ‘Hridoye Dhaka 416’ festival, being observed to mark 416 years of Dhaka as the capital and instil in city residents a sense of affection, love and responsibility towards the city.
Hundreds of onlookers gathered on both banks of the river to enjoy the traditional boat race.
Rabiul Alam praised the DSCC initiative for reviving Bengal’s traditional heritage for the new generation.
He pledged to create a riverside environment suitable for walking and recreation through beautification initiatives.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain, Dhaka-7 lawmaker Hamidur Rahman, DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam, Feni-1 MP Rafiqul Alam Majnu, senior DSCC officials, representatives of various government agencies and media personnel were also present on the occasion.
The DSCC administrator said people would develop love for the city only if they could embrace Dhaka in their hearts, and that such love would help make initiatives to build a clean and green Dhaka successful.
He said various programmes, including a mini-marathon, cycle rally, theatre festival and film festival, were being organised as part of the ‘Hridoye Dhaka 416’ festival to showcase Dhaka’s culture.
He also mentioned development projects such as an eight-lane road in Kamrangirchar and the construction of a scenic riverside walkway, and urged city residents to maintain cleanliness and plant more trees.

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Six boats participated in the race, which started at 3pm and covered the stretch from Kholamora Ghat to Wiseghat on the river.
The team led by Dhaka-7 MP Hamidur Rahman Hamid won first prize, the team of former ward commissioner Mosharraf Hossain Khokon secured second place, while the team led by Madaripur’s Anisur Rahman came third.

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