Md. Hasan Kabir Siddiqui (Munna), Special Correspondent:
​To prevent environmental disasters in megacity Dhaka and to develop it as a livable, modern and environmentally friendly city, the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) has recently taken a very groundbreaking and timely decision. The current Chairman of RAJUK, Engineer Md. Riazul Islam, has clearly announced that it is now legally mandatory to set up a sewage treatment plant (STP) for plots of 5 katha or more in the capital. This directive is not just a legal order, but a long-term master plan to revive the dying Buriganga or the polluted lakes of Gulshan-Banani-Baridhara.
If we look at modern urban civilization, we will see that the vitality of a city depends on its waste disposal and water management. Unfortunately, our beloved capital Dhaka has been lacking a planned sewage system for a long time. The dirty water from the septic tanks of many multi-storey buildings is directly connected to lakes or drains, which has poisoned the internal water bodies of the city. The dilapidated condition of the beautiful lakes in elite areas like Gulshan, Banani or Baridhara is mainly due to untreated toilet waste. This recent warning and guidance from the RAJUK Chairman shows us the way to get rid of this terrible pollution.
​What is STP and why is it necessary? Sewage Treatment Plant or STP is a modern technology that converts all the liquid and solid sewage produced by the building into pure water by treating it chemically and mechanically. This purified water can be easily reused for watering the garden, washing cars or flushing the building. According to the announcement of the RAJUK chairman, building owners can install this plant through any authorized organization of their choice. However, the septic tank or sockwell specified in the original design of the building must be implemented 100% correctly. Not only that, in the future, it is being made mandatory to include the STP design in the plan or design approval of any new building, which is really commendable.
​Citizen Awareness: What we can do in building construction > * Owners of plots of 5 katha or above: Include a suitable STP plan with the advice of a skilled engineer while preparing the design of the building.
* ​Existing building authorities: Ensure that the septic tank connection of your building does not go directly to the RAJUK drain or adjacent lake.
* Joint Initiative: According to RAJUK’s plan, local societies and welfare associations will have to come forward to establish lake-based regional STPs.
​Importance of Partnership in Sustainable Urban Development The responsibility of making a city beautiful is not only the responsibility of a single government agency. The exchange of views in the presence of representatives of Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara societies at the seminar organized by RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md. Riazul Islam is a unique example of civic partnership. To make the short, medium and long-term plan that RAJUK has undertaken to control lake pollution successful, sincere cooperation of real estate traders, architects, engineers and general plot owners is required. Environment-friendly urban development is necessary not only for our own well-being, but also for the safe future of our future generations.
​Let us accept this timely legal obligation of RAJUK as a civic responsibility, not just as a legal pressure. Let’s build buildings according to the law, establish STPs, and keep the water bodies around us pollution-free. Only then will Dhaka become a truly modern, green, and livable megacity.
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