State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam has emphasized the necessity of introducing an integrated 'City Government' system to enhance urban management. Speaking at a seminar on 'Urban Waste Management: A Shared Responsibility' organized by the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Alam highlighted the lack of coordination among various agencies as a major obstacle to effective urban management in the capital.
Unified Framework for Better Coordination
Alam pointed out that city corporations are often blamed for urban problems despite having no authority over key agencies such as the traffic police, WASA, RAJUK, and power distribution authorities. He believes that integrating these institutions under a unified City Government framework could resolve 50 to 70 percent of the city's challenges. Currently, inter-ministerial coordination meetings are required to address many of Dhaka's urban issues because city corporations cannot compel all relevant agencies to participate in joint planning and implementation.
Government and Public Participation
The state minister stressed the importance of public participation, noting that government initiatives alone are insufficient to build a clean city. He announced that primary school textbooks will include lessons on cleanliness, waste management, environmental conservation, ethics, and social responsibility starting next year. Alam also mentioned several waste-to-energy projects, including the Aminbazar landfill project, which aims to supply 43 megawatts of electricity to the national grid by July-August 2028, and a memorandum of understanding with a South Korean company to develop the Dhaka South City Corporation landfill.
Alam expressed concern over untreated sewage flowing into lakes, causing pollution in areas like Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and Hatirjheel. He highlighted the underutilization of the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant and submitted a Development Project Proposal to the Planning Commission to connect sewerage networks with the plant. He encouraged apartment buildings to install small-scale sewage treatment plants for water reuse.
The state minister urged citizens to refrain from littering and actively participate in maintaining cleanliness and proper waste management. He emphasized that transforming Dhaka into a planned and livable city will require time and the cooperation of both the government and the public.
