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Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam said on Saturday.
Currently, the federal government is responsible for the upkeep of all waterbodies in the capital.
"The process will begin once we get a report from the committee formed to shift the responsibilities of the city's canals to the two civic bodies. Hopefully the process will conclude within January," the Minister said on the sidelines of a programme at the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) Bhawan.
Also read: DSCC starts drive to bring canals back to life
On squatters in the vicinity of the city's waterbodies, the Minister said, “The river and the canals adjacent to the capital will be freed from encroachers shortly, no matter who they are. No one is above the law."
Also read: Legal action after Oct 20 if canals, waterbodies found dirty : DNCC mayor
Islam also lauded Wasa for its effective role amid Covid. "Despite the pandemic and the consequent lockdown, Wasa has managed to sustain uninterrupted water supply to the capital, and there was also no water scarcity across the country," he said.
Also read: Dhaka's canals to be renovated: LGRD minister
Responding to a poser on the rise in Covid cases in Bangladesh, the Minister said,"The government is on alert and prepared to face the second wave of coronavirus." However, he cautioned that there's no alternative to frequent hand washing and wearing masks to prevent Covid-19.
Also read: Kamal Ahmed suggests handing over Dhaka canals to DSCC, DNCC