Dhaka North mayor pledges prompt actions for reported problems

Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam has pledged to take action within 24 hours on any reported problems in the city through the "Shobar Dhaka" app.

 "If you notice a missing manhole cover or a malfunctioning streetlight while walking down the street, simply take a picture and file a complaint through the app. I assure you that we will take prompt action within 24 hours of receiving such reports. We will also provide updates on the progress of our efforts to address these issues," the mayor said at the opening ceremony of the Global SDG Youth Summit-2023, held in Dhaka on Friday. 

The two-day summit, jointly organised by The Earth and Climate Parliament Bangladesh at the Bangabandhu Military Museum in Bijay Sarani, will conclude on Saturday. "Anyone can file a complaint through any of the Dhaka apps," emphasised the Mayor. We will respond swiftly to your concerns."

He further stated, "We are committed to collaborating with the youth to address issues of illegal encroachment and environmental pollution. We have already reclaimed 24 playgrounds. Please provide us with information about any playgrounds that have been encroached upon or polluted, and we will take immediate action to restore them for the benefit of our youth."

"The world is currently embroiled in conflicts," observed the mayor. "If the vast sums of money being spent on wars were instead channeled towards climate change mitigation, the world would be a far better place."

He added, "In the past, Dhaka boasted 63 canals; today, only 29 remain under our control. If we had been responsible citizens, all 63 canals would still be intact. The youth have demonstrated their ability to make a difference by clearing waste from the canals in Mohammadpur.

"With the collective effort of our youth, we can reclaim Dhaka's canals, parks, and playgrounds from illegal encroachment," mayor Atiq hoped. 

To make access to citizen services easier, Dhaka North City Corporation launched a mobile app called "Shobar Dhaka" in January 2021.

France's Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy, Member of Climate Parliament Bangladesh and Member of Parliament Shamim Haider Patwari, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's SDG Coordinator Md Akhtar Hossain, and Professor of Development Studies Department of Dhaka University Md Kazi Maruful Islam were also present at the summit.