Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has undertaken a mega project worth about Tk2,000 crore for the beautification of Buriganga river and making it pollution-free.
It will begin towards the end of November from Babubazar Bridge to Sadarghat under a pilot project.
The implementation of the total project will begin from Hazaribagh to Pagla.
DSCC has taken the initiative with the financial assistance of World Bank and Bangladesh Municipal Development Fund.
DSCC Mayor Sayeed Khokon said: “Buriganga is an integral part of the history of Dhaka. But the river is dying now.”
He hoped that Buriganga will turn into “the second Hatirjheel of Dhaka” under this project.
Recovery of the Buriganga river is a strenuous process Dhaka Tribune/Mahmud Hossain Opu
BSCC Chief Urban Planner Sirajul Islam said World Bank representatives have already held several meetings with Mayor Sayeed Khokon for the project and committed to give Tk1,600 crore for its implementation.
The DSCC will give the rest of the money from its own fund, he added.
Sirajul also said: “There will be luxurious resorts, walkways, recreation parks, floating recreation centres, boats and restaurants in and around Buriganga river.
Improved bus services will also be available in the highways on both sides of the river.”
DSCC officials said, at the first phase of the project seven to eight refining plants will set up to filter polluted water that comes into Buriganga river through 18 sluice gates.
More such refining plants will be set up later.
Measures would be taken to keep the river water clean following the methods used in Singapore, Korea, Vietnam and Japan.
DSCC Executive Officer Khan Mohammad Billal Hossain said: “Buriganga will be a safe destination for nature lovers after the implementation of the mega project.”
Source: Dhaka Tribune
