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The government has formed a central cell comprising ministers and state ministers to prevent encroachment and pollution of the rivers around Dhaka and restore their natural navigability and water flow.
The formation of the 37-member central cell was announced in a gazette notification issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday.
The Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister will serve as convener of the cell, which will operate through three sub-committees. The notification also outlines the responsibilities of the central cell and the three sub-committees.
The cell will work to control pollution and restore rivers, canals and drains around Dhaka, including the Buriganga, Turag, Shitalakkhya, Balu and Dhaleshwari rivers.
Ministers and state ministers from the ministries of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Local Government; Rural Development and Cooperatives; Shipping; and Planning have been appointed as advisers to the central cell. The Bangladesh Navy will coordinate its activities.
Members of the 37-member cell include secretaries of various ministries and divisions, a Bangladesh Navy representative of rear admiral rank, the inspector general of police, director general of the Coast Guard, chairman of the National River Conservation Commission, director general of the Bangladesh Water Development Board, director general of the Department of Environment, chairman of RAJUK, chairman of BIWTA, Dhaka divisional commissioner, an AIG of the River Police, managing director of Dhaka WASA, executive officers of Dhaka North and South, Narayanganj and Gazipur city corporations, a representative of the Attorney General, deputy commissioners of Dhaka, Narayanganj and Gazipur, and representatives of business and environmental organisations.
Three sub-committees have been formed to control sources of pollution, remove waste, restore rivers and ensure normal water flow.
According to the notification, Sub-Committee 1 will control the sources of all types of waste, including industrial waste. Sub-Committee 2 will remove waste from canals and drains, restore rivers and ensure uninterrupted water flow. Sub-Committee 3 will remove permanent waste accumulated on riverbeds and formulate long-term plans.
The central cell will review its progress every month and submit a report to the Prime Minister. It will also review and coordinate ongoing projects related to pollution control, conservation and management of the Buriganga and other rivers around Dhaka.