Bangladesh PM Announces 12-Point Plan to Transform Dhaka into Green City

Dhaka. Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced a 12-point plan in parliament on Wednesday to transform the capital Dhaka into a clean and green city. Replying to a question from a ruling party MP in parliament, Rahman said, “Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporations are undertaking various initiatives to achieve this goal.”

The action plan comes against the backdrop of Dhaka's severe air quality challenges. High pollution levels often reach ‘unhealthy’ or ‘hazardous’ levels during the dry season. Rahman said, “As an initial part of the plan, weekly public awareness programs are being conducted with intensive cleaning and mosquito control campaigns.”

“The government is also modernizing Dhaka's main waste transfer stations and promoting environmentally friendly waste management, including landfilling, greenery, and awareness-raising murals,” he added.

Regarding urban greenery, Rahman said, “Tree plantation programs have been undertaken on roads and open spaces, with a target of planting five lakh trees in the city in the next five years.”

The Department of Environment and Dhaka's Transport Coordination Authority are jointly launching modern bus services and introducing electric buses, Rahman said.

He stated that waste treatment plants for industries have been made mandatory to control water pollution. He expressed confidence that through this joint initiative, Dhaka will gradually become a clean and green city.