Authority of canals around Dhaka city to be handed over to city corporations : Tajul

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister M Tajul Islam today said authority of canals and water bodies inside and around Dhaka city should be given to two city corporations.

“The canals and water bodies under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, RAJUK and Water Development Board will be handed over to the two city corporations — Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC),” he said.

He said this at an inter-ministerial virtual meeting on conservation and maintenance of canals and natural water bodies in Dhaka metropolis to stop water logging alongside environmental balance in the city, said a press release.

The minister also decided to keep all the closed sluice gates of Hatirjheel open to alleviate waterlogging caused by heavy rains in the capital.

“A total of 26 canals have already been handed over to the two city corporations from Dhaka Wasa after assuming office, Tajul said adding, the two mayors have been playing a very important role in drainage management and renovation works to ensure normal water flow o these canals.

“The relevant ministry and organizations have taken decision to hand over 17 more canals to the two city corporations,” he added.

The meeting was attended by State Minister for Housing and Public Works Md Sharif Ahmed, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Deputy Minister for Water Resources AKM Enamul Haque Shamim, Senior Secretary, Local Government Department and Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Public Works.