3rd master plan in the offing to protect rivers: Tajul

BSS, DHAKA: LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Md Tajul Islam today said the government is preparing the third master plan to protect the country’s rivers.

“To stop river grabbing and pollution and increase navigability of rivers, work is on to prepare the third master plan. Initiatives have also been taken to prevent gabbing and pollution in the Padma, Meghna, Turag and Pungli rivers,” he told reporters at the Secretariat here after a meeting of the committee formed to prepare master plans to protect rivers.

Tajul said the government has already approved a master plan for Dhaka’s four rivers – Buriganga, Turag, Balu and Shitlakhya- while another master plan for the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram.

A committee, led by the prime minister’s principal secretary, was formed at the meeting today for preparing the third master plan to check gabbing and pollution in the Padma, Meghna, Turag and Pungli rivers.

Another committee, led by the prime minister’s principal secretary, was formed for monitoring the works of two master plans approved earlier.

Narayanganj city mayor Salina Hayat Ivy, Local Government Division senior sectary Helal Uddin Ahmed, Shipping senior secretary Abdus Samad and Water Resources secretary Kabir Bin Anwar were, among others, present at the meeting.