Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for unity beyond political divisions to address Dhaka’s long-standing waste and civic problems. Speaking as chief guest at a Dhaka North City Corporation seminar titled “Waste management of the city is everyone’s responsibility” on Wednesday, he said the capital’s condition cannot be improved by any single person or institution alone.

He noted that Dhaka ranks among the world’s least livable cities and cited poor coordination between RAJUK, WASA, and the power department as major obstacles. Fakhrul emphasized the need to bring the city corporation under a stronger governance structure to ensure control over other agencies. He also highlighted severe water shortages, river pollution, and weak medical waste management, urging restoration of the Buriganga, Turag, and Shitalakshya rivers.

Drawing from his experience as a former municipal chairman, Fakhrul stressed that awareness and civic responsibility must start from families and schools. He expressed a personal desire to see Dhaka clean and green again and urged citizens to take ownership of their city’s cleanliness.