Mayor Khokon brings together 26 govt agencies

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon yesterday urged different government institutions to create public awareness about keeping the city clean.

In a meeting with officials of 26 institutions including the city corporation, Water and Sewerage Authority (Wasa), Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), police and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), he called upon the organisations to hold campaigns like a cleaning drive or a procession at least once in the month of January or February.

"On Valentine's Day (February 14), we (residents of Dhaka) will gather in solidarity to show our love for Dhaka by taking steps to keep it clean," said Khokon.

He will hold meetings with other organisations quarterly to make good coordination.

Director General of Rapid Action Battalion Benazir Ahmed at the meeting suggested conducting a survey to know the exact number of hawkers to rehabilitate them.

He also suggested making arrangements for holiday markets on the roadside during holidays and night markets for the hawkers to keep the footpaths free for pedestrians.

Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Asaduzzaman Mia said the city corporation should introduce penalty for setting up banners or posters without permission.

He said all unauthorised billboards would have to be put down, no matter who owned them.

Chairman of Rajuk Joynal Abedin Bhuiyan sought help from the ward councillors to make people aware against violating the approved plan for construction of buildings. 

Director General of Department of Environment Raisul Alam Mondal said though a system had been developed to collect medical waste from city hospitals, many had still not adopted it.

He said setting up effluent treatment plants (ETPs) for liquid medical waste management was very necessary to reduce health hazards but most city hospitals did not have them.

"Some modern private hospitals have set up ETPs or are going to do so, but the government hospitals do not have ETPs yet."