Metro govt only way to get problem free Dhaka

Though it can not be used under the present legal framework and reality, metropolitan government is the only way to rid Dhaka city of its problems and a prompt decision must be taken, environmentalists, urban planners and architects told a views-exchange meeting yesterday.

Essentially organisations providing services like city planning and control, housing and infrastructure, water supply, transport and waste, disaster and financial management; ensuring a healthy environment, education and health, and promoting culture and tradition have to come under the city government, said Dr Akhtar Mahmud.

The general secretary of Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) was reading out to 15 mayoral aspirants present at the meeting a statement containing 10 suggestions on making the capital livable.

The proposals include preserving and developing open spaces and parks, significantly improving waste management, building a safe city, developing surface drains, reducing waterlogging and improving the communications sector.

BIP, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa), Institute of Architects Bangladesh, and Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust, which prepared the recommendations, also suggested making each ward a centre for providing civic amenities.

The four organised the meeting, "Civic amenities in Dhaka city: Expectations from mayors", presided over by BIP President Prof Golam Rahman, in the capital's Planners Tower.

The 15 mayor candidates briefly stated their plans for Dhaka and urged the city dwellers to choose honest candidates possessing moral principles to free the two city corporations from corruption.

The provincial government system is necessary for a safe Dhaka, said Bahauddin Ahmed Babul. Abdullah Al Kafi aimed making a "humane Dhaka".

"If corrupt persons are elected as mayors, then city corporations will not be free from corruption," said Abu Naser Mohammad Naser Hussain.

Bahrane Sultane Bahar questioned how the city corporations would be free from dishonesty when several thousand crores of taka were illegally being spent centring the election.

Sheikh Md Fazle Bari Masud lamented that people would eventually end up electing a corrupt person but still seek development. Anisuzzaman Khokan emphasised the need for proper plans.

The others contestants include Akhtaruzzaman, Moshiur Rahman, Moazzem Hossain Khan Mozlish, Kazi Md Shahidullah, SS Akram, Zaman Bhuyan, Zahidur Rahman, AYM Qumrul Islam and Sheikh Shahiduzzaman.