Two bridges will be constructed over the Narai River, to directly connect the residential areas of Aftabnagar and Banasree, said Mohammad Azaz, administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) on Saturday.
“There is no alternative route between the two neighborhoods except the main road,” said Azaz, while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a “Waste Cleanup and Tree Plantation Campaign” organised by Samomona Parishad, Banasree, with overall support from DNCC.
The event was held on the banks of the Narai River, locally known more as the 'Banasree canal'.
“The river’s natural flow was blocked and it was reduced to a canal through illegal encroachment. The Water Development Board has recently re-registered it as the Narai River,” he said.
He further stated that if this river can be protected, there will be a possibility of starting passenger transport from Rampura via the Shitalakkhya, Dhaleshwari and Balu rivers to Sadarghat and Mirpur in the future.
Referring to the waste management of Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara lakes, the DNCC administrator said the work is underway to prepare a master plan with the cooperation of the World Bank.
Expressing frustration over obstacles, he said extortion syndicates are disrupting effective waste management and making footpath clearance difficult.
He also stressed the importance of public awareness to prevent dumping in canals and preserving the environment.