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Dhaka North City Corporation administrator Mohammad Azaz on Saturday said that two bridges would be constructed over the Norai River to improve connectivity between Aftab Nagar and Banasree.

‘There is no alternative route for traveling from Aftab Nagar to Banasree other than the main road. Therefore, to improve convenience for the locals, at least two bridges will be constructed over the Narai River. These bridges will provide easy and direct connectivity between the two residential areas,’ he said.

While addressing as chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the Waste Cleaning and Tree Plantation Programme at Banasree Khalpar area organised by the Samamana Parishad with the overall support of the DNCC, he said that the proposed bridge will be called ‘Norai Bridge’.

‘The canal that we all know today as Banasree Canal was also a flowing Norai River in the ‘80s,’ he added.

The river was occupied by illegal encroachment and converted into a canal, he said, adding that the Water Development Board had already re-listed it as Norai River on the DNCC’s initiative.

He also said, ‘If this river can be saved, there will be a possibility of starting passenger transport services from Rampura to Sadarghat and Mirpur by waterways via Sitalakhya, Dhaleshwari and Balu rivers in the future.’

The DNCC administrator spoke about ongoing efforts to improve waste management, especially around Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara lakes with assistance from the World Bank.

Expressing his resentment over extortion in the waste management system and road encroachments, Azaz said that Dhaka’s waste management was being hampered due to extortion syndicates and it had become difficult to free the footpaths from encroachments.

Inaugurating the tree plantating programme at the event, he said, ‘It is not enough to just plant trees, we have to ensure their care for at least two to three years. Only then will it be possible to ensure a sustainable green environment.’

Stressing on the awareness of citizens about not throwing garbage in the canal, the administrator said, the participation of the citizens in the efforts to protect the canal is very important.  ‘The city is ours, we have to protect its beauty and wellbeing.’

The programme was presided over by Samamana Parishad, Banasree president Md Shahbuddin Sikder.