BanglaPress Desk: State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam has announced that approval has been granted to recruit 2,000 sanitation workers for the Dhaka South City Corporation and 1,500 for the Dhaka North City Corporation to address the current shortage.
He stated that the Prime Minister has issued directives to develop infrastructure, water supply, and waste management systems in the union councils recently incorporated into the Dhaka metropolitan area. Efforts will be accelerated to ensure that citizens in these areas receive the same level of public services as those in the main city.
He shared these details with journalists on Saturday following a review meeting on the progress of cleanliness initiatives in Dhaka, held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon. The meeting was presided over by Prime Minister Tareq Rahman.
State Minister Mir Shahe Alam further noted that Prime Minister Tareq Rahman has decided to formally involve retired government officials and employees in the effort to transform Dhaka into a clean and green city.
Explaining this decision, the State Minister said that committees comprising retired officials will be formed in every neighborhood and ward across Dhaka. These individuals will serve as advisors or hold key responsibilities within the committees, which will also include young people and volunteers.
Mir Shahe Alam mentioned that approximately 39,000 retired government officials and employees reside in Dhaka. As experienced citizens, they possess valuable expertise that the Prime Minister intends to leverage to make cleanliness initiatives more effective.
He added that these neighborhood-level committees will focus on raising public awareness regarding dengue prevention, waste removal, keeping footpaths free from encroachment, improving drainage systems, and ensuring that waste collected from households is transported to designated disposal sites. These initiatives will be implemented promptly.
The State Minister also informed that separate committees have been established to oversee cleanliness operations, centered around 20 regional offices of the Dhaka North and South City Corporations. Led by directors from the Prime Minister’s Office, these committees include representatives from the City Corporations, the Public Works Department, RAJUK, the police, and the education, health, and WASA (Water Supply and Sewerage Authority) departments. The committees officially began their work on October 27. Mir Shahe Alam stated that the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction after reviewing the progress of their activities up to November 14.
He mentioned that during this period, the committees inspected 248 educational institutions, 139 hospitals and clinics, 112 government residential quarters, 152 markets and shopping complexes, and 128 roads, parks, footpaths, and public spaces. Additionally, 136 facilities—including those at bus terminals, railway stations, and in informal settlements (slums)—were inspected.
During the inspections, instructions were given to promote awareness about cleanliness among students in educational institutions and to encourage tree plantation. The state of waste management in hospitals, clinics, government residential areas, and other locations was also reviewed.
The State Minister noted that there is a shortage of Waste Transfer Stations (STSs) in Dhaka city. Consequently, the Prime Minister has directed the establishment of new STSs. Furthermore, instructions have been issued to explore the construction of eco-friendly STSs, as well as the feasibility of developing underground STSs.
Regarding medical waste management, he explained that there are currently limitations in the collection and handling of medical waste from public and private hospitals and clinics in Dhaka. While a waste management facility already exists in the Matuail area (under the South City Corporation), the Prime Minister has directed the opening of a new management center in Aminbazar (under the North City Corporation).
Mir Shahe Alam added that the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) employs state-of-the-art methods for segregating and sterilizing medical waste. Following an inspection of their system, a decision has been made to evaluate whether similar practices should be made mandatory for all public and private hospitals and clinics.
Regarding the maintenance of cleanliness in government residential quarters, the State Minister stated that the residents concerned will first be sensitized and cautioned. Furthermore, if anyone fails to fulfill their responsibilities regarding waste management, the cancellation of their housing allotment may be considered.
He also mentioned that, to address the shortage of sanitation workers, approval has been granted for the recruitment of 2,000 workers for the Dhaka South City Corporation and 1,500 for the Dhaka North City Corporation.
Mir Shahe Alam stated that the Prime Minister has issued directives for the development of infrastructure, water supply, and waste management in the unions newly incorporated into the Dhaka metropolitan area. Efforts will be accelerated to ensure that residents of these areas receive the same level of civic services as those in the main city of Dhaka.
He added that the committees formed to review the progress of cleanliness initiatives will continue their work. The Prime Minister will hold another meeting in one month to assess the latest progress. The relevant ministries, directorates, and city corporations are working in a coordinated manner to implement these initiatives.
Present on the occasion were the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibli, Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Ruman, Director General (Administration) of the Prime Minister’s Office Abdul Wadud Chowdhury, Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Zahidul Islam Rony, and other members of the press wing.
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