Clean and green: Dhaka revamp begins to reclaim roads, rivers and parks
City authorities want campaign to go beyond slogans and focus on practical enforcement
Highlights:
- Dhaka launches major clean and green urban transformation campaign
- Authorities clearing roads, footpaths, and canals from encroachments
- Government plans stronger drainage system reducing chronic waterlogging problems
- Massive tree plantation drive aims improving air quality nationwide
- Lakes and rivers targeted for pollution cleanup and restoration
- Parks and playgrounds to be renovated and newly developed
Dhaka is set for a major facelift with a cleaner, greener outlook, as the capital's two city corporations have begun groundwork to clear encroachments from roads and footpaths, strengthen the drainage system, renovate parks and playgrounds, and restore lakes and surrounding rivers.
City officials said the initiative reflects Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's commitment to reshaping the overcrowded capital into a more liveable city.
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They said a coordination committee has already been formed involving the two city corporations, Local Government Division, Forest Department, and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), among other agencies, to oversee implementation. Relevant agencies have already begun initial work, although visible changes will take more time.
Md Saimum Parvez, special assistant to the prime minister on environment, forests and climate affairs, said the BNP had long planned to build a clean and green capital.
"Dhaka remains among the world's most polluted cities in terms of air quality," he told TBS. "The air quality index is very poor. We are working to bring it to a tolerable level."
Dhaka North Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton said the "Clean Dhaka, Green Dhaka" campaign would go beyond slogans and focus on practical enforcement.
According to him, six issues must be ensured: stronger waste management, regular drain cleaning, tree plantation, pollution control, public awareness, and strict law enforcement.
Dhaka South Administrator Md Abdus Salam said half the responsibility lies with the city corporation, while the remaining half rests with the public.
"That's why we are placing emphasis on public awareness. At the same time, we are also focusing on ensuring that city corporation employees perform their duties properly," he said.
He further said that during this monsoon season, trees will be planted in every ward and across all areas of Dhaka. "This will make the city greener and help reduce air pollution."
'Clean and green city'
On 29 April, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced a 12-point action plan to develop Dhaka as a "clean and green city". He outlined the initiative during a parliamentary question-and-answer session in response to a query from Cumilla-9 lawmaker Abul Kalam.
Tarique said various measures are being implemented through the Dhaka North and Dhaka South city corporations under the Local Government Division.
Freeing roads
Most roads and footpaths in Dhaka remain heavily encroached, with illegal parking, hawkers and construction materials severely restricting pedestrian movement. As a result, people are often forced to walk on roads, increasing accident risks.
Considering the situation, eviction drives have already been launched in the capital to free up footpaths and ensure smooth pedestrian movement.
As part of the process, hawkers are being registered and rehabilitated. In total, Dhaka North and Dhaka South have issued digital IDs and facilitated rehabilitation for 302 hawkers.
Of them, Dhaka North has issued cards to 202 hawkers in the Mirpur area, while Dhaka South has provided IDs to 100 hawkers in the Gulistan area for relocation.
The government also plans to expand the use of electric vehicles in the capital while phasing out expired and unfit vehicles to introduce more environment-friendly transport.
Sources said the initiative includes promoting electric mobility in Dhaka and removing old, unfit vehicles from roads to reduce emissions and improve urban air quality.
Tree plantation
Officials said the government has a plan to plant 25 crore trees across the country over the next five years, with Dhaka included in the initiative.
All vacant spaces in the capital will be brought under tree plantation. This is expected to reduce air pollution, improve appearance, and expand green coverage across urban areas.
Restoration of waterbodies
The lakes in Dhaka and the surrounding rivers are facing severe pollution. The Buriganga, Turag, Balu and Shitalakshya Rivers are heavily polluted with industrial waste.
Similarly, lakes such as Hatirjheel and Dhanmondi lakes are deteriorating, with blackened water and foul odours making surrounding areas increasingly unhealthy.
To address the issue, the government plans to restore lakes and improve water quality.
Officials believe rehabilitated lakes could support fish farming, enhance recreational facilities and improve mental well-being for city residents. Wider restoration efforts are also planned for the four rivers surrounding Dhaka, with priority given to the Buriganga.
Proposed measures include improving water quality, ensuring river flow through dredging, and constructing walkways along both banks to create public access and recreational spaces.
Although no formal decision has yet been taken by ministries, officials said the proposals remain at the planning stage.
Drainage system
Waterlogging has become a routine problem in Dhaka, with even light rain flooding roads, alleys and residential areas. Daily life is severely disrupted, with worsening traffic and major hardship for commuters, office workers and students.
Experts say the main causes include unplanned urbanisation, filling of canals, weak drainage infrastructure and blocked drains due to waste accumulation.
The situation is further worsened by the encroachment of natural water bodies and canals, which prevents rainwater from draining quickly.
The government is now planning a long-term solution through a stronger, integrated drainage network to ensure effective rainwater flow and reduce persistent flooding.
Parks and playgrounds
Playgrounds and parks in Dhaka are shrinking as many are encroached, built over or poorly maintained, limiting children's access to open spaces. Existing facilities are often degraded, with waste, broken equipment and security concerns discouraging use.
The government is now placing strong emphasis on restoring, renovating and developing new playgrounds and parks. The issue has also been highlighted in BNP's election manifesto.
Party chairman Tarique Rahman before the election announced that if BNP comes to power, at least 40 new playgrounds would be built in Dhaka alone.
The plan also includes ensuring that these spaces remain suitable not only for sports and recreation for young people, but also for safe walking and public use.
Initial drives
The two city corporations have begun initial activities under the broader campaign.
He also sought one year to free Dhaka's canals from encroachment. "It is difficult to bring the canals into proper condition within one or two months."
On 30 April, beautification work was inaugurated on the road stretching from Gulistan Zero Point to Hotel InterContinental at Kakrail Mosque intersection.
During the inauguration, Salam said the road was being developed as an "ideal and model road" under the prime minister's "Clean City, Green City" vision.
In the first phase, 54 decorative flower pots of different designs were installed along the road. The pots will contain colourful flowering plants, including bougainvillea, ixora, allamanda, portulaca and orange jasmine.
