An ex-adviser of interim govt pushed Dhaka back by 18 years in 18 months

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Abdus Salam on Saturday alleged that a former adviser to the interim government had pushed Dhaka city "18 years backwards in 18 months."

"One of the loudest voices on environmental issues in Bangladesh was an adviser in the last interim government. But he ruined the environment and pushed Dhaka city back by 18 years in just 18 months," he said, reports UNB.

He made the remarks while addressing a discussion titled "Integrated Environmental Management: Forests, Environment, Rivers and Urbanisation," organised by BNP at Jaitya Press Club in the capital.

State Minister for Forests, Environment and Climate Affairs Sheikh Faridul Islam attended the programme as a the special guest. Speaking as the chief guest, Abdus Salam said implementation of environmental and urban management plans is far more difficult than making statements.

"Talking is easy, implementation is difficult. But our leader, the honourable Prime Minister, does not consider anything difficult. He tries to implement everything practically and has already taken many initiatives," he said. He blamed the interim government for worsening traffic congestion and the uncontrolled expansion of street hawkers in the capital.

"Today's traffic jams and the severe hawker congestion are creations of their tenure," he said. The DSCC administrator stressed the need to act based on expert opinions to protect Bangladesh from future environmental disasters.