Dhaka junior minister advocates for city government system to resolve urban management failures
State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam has identified the lack of coordination among various government agencies and ministries as the primary obstacle to resolving Dhaka’s persistent challenges, including waterlogging, waste management, and traffic congestion. Speaking at a seminar titled “Urban Waste Management is the Responsibility of All” at the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) headquarters in Gulshan on Wednesday, the minister advocated for the implementation of a "city government" system to centralize urban administration.
The minister observed that while the city corporation is ostensibly responsible for urban governance, it lacks control over critical service providers such as the traffic police, the water utility (WASA), the capital development authority (RAJUK), and the power distribution agencies. Because these entities operate under separate ministries, the city corporation struggles to hold them accountable or issue binding directives. Minister Alam noted that bringing these disparate agencies under the jurisdiction of a unified city government could resolve up to 80% of the capital's existing urban management failures.
Addressing the logistical hurdles of the current structure, Alam explained that the lack of legal authority often renders the city corporation’s administrative efforts ineffective, as relevant departments frequently ignore summons from city authorities. He argued that without a fundamental shift in this governance structure, periodic seminars and meetings will remain insufficient to enact meaningful change.
To address the growing waste management crisis, the government is pursuing several “waste-to-energy” initiatives. Plans are underway to establish a project at the Aminbazar landfill, with a Chinese firm, aimed at supplying 43 megawatts of electricity to the national grid by mid-2028. A similar arrangement has been reached with a South Korean entity for the Matuail landfill in the southern part of the city, focusing on the production of electricity, organic fertilizer, animal feed, and fuel. The minister stated that these projects would proceed without requiring direct government investment.
Environmental degradation, particularly regarding the city’s canals and lakes, remains a significant concern, with untreated sewage identified as a primary pollutant. Although the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant is operational, it currently functions at only 30% of its capacity due to the absence of necessary sewage connection lines. The government is now working to integrate sewer lines from Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and Hatirjheel into the plant, while simultaneously exploring the installation of smaller, decentralized sewage treatment facilities in residential areas.
Beyond infrastructure, Minister Alam emphasized the necessity of a behavioral shift among residents. Acknowledging that city authorities cannot maintain a clean capital without public cooperation, he announced that the government plans to incorporate topics on hygiene, waste management, and civic responsibility into the national school curriculum starting next year.
Addressing the recent public distress caused by severe waterlogging, the minister expressed regret and acknowledged the difficulty of modernizing a city that has grown in an unplanned manner over several centuries. While asserting that the government remains fully committed to reform, he appealed for greater civic cooperation, reiterating that a cleaner and more livable Dhaka is achievable if all stakeholders fulfill their respective responsibilities. The event was presided over by DNCC Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan, with Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque in attendance.
