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Staff Reporter : Bangladesh’s capital is facing mounting environmental challenges as rapid urbanisation continues to put pressure on its sanitation infrastructure. Against this backdrop, the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) has launched a renewed initiative to promote sustainable sanitation systems, with a particular focus on ensuring the installation of septic tanks, soak wells and sewage treatment plants (STPs) in residential buildings. A stakeholder consultation meeting was held at Gulshan Society Park in Dhaka, bringing together residents of Gulshan, Baridhara, Banani and Niketan alongside representatives from government agencies and local communities.

The event was attended by Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher, MP, as the chief guest. Special guests included State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, MP, State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahammad Sohel Monjur, MP, and Administrator of the Dhaka North City Corporation, Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan. The Managing Director of Dhaka WASA, Md. Aminur Islam, attended as a guest, while the meeting was chaired by RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md. Riazul Islam.

Officials and participants discussed the importance of installing septic tanks, soak wells and sewage treatment plants as essential components of modern urban sanitation. The discussions focused on existing challenges, implementation strategies and the need for coordinated action among government agencies, property owners and local communities. Speakers stressed that effective sanitation is critical to reducing environmental pollution, protecting public health and creating a cleaner, more liveable city. They also highlighted that preventing untreated wastewater from entering lakes and other water bodies is essential for preserving Dhaka’s urban environment.

State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahammad Sohel Monjur said environmentally sustainable sanitation has become an urgent requirement for planned urban development. “Implementing environmentally friendly sanitation systems is now a necessity for sustainable development and planned urbanisation. The government remains committed to building a modern, healthy and environmentally friendly city,” he said.» In his keynote address, Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher said the government is working to build a cleaner and more sustainable Bangladesh through planned urban development. He warned that buildings without septic tanks contribute directly to environmental pollution and pose risks to public health.

The minister disclosed findings from recent inspections conducted by RAJUK over the past two months. According to the survey, 4,409 buildings were inspected. Among them, 1,587 buildings were found to have septic tanks, while 2,822 did not. Only 341 buildings had soak wells, whereas 4,068 buildings lacked the facility. He reminded property owners that the 1961 Lease Deed makes the installation of septic tanks mandatory for every plot and noted that compliance is also an important requirement for obtaining an occupancy certificate. He urged building owners to fulfil their legal obligations and called for collective efforts to build a cleaner, safer and more liveable capital.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam said that in some areas untreated sewage had been connected directly to lakes because of a lack of awareness, resulting in serious environmental pollution. He said the relevant authorities have already begun taking corrective measures and are planning to modernise the sewerage system so that wastewater can eventually be diverted to designated treatment plants. Representatives of local residential societies shared their experiences and recommendations during the meeting. They welcomed the initiative and called for stronger monitoring, greater coordination and sustained enforcement to ensure compliance with sanitation standards.

In his concluding RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md. Riazul Islam expressed optimism that coordinated efforts to improve sanitation and protect the environment would play a significant role in promoting planned urban development. He said the combined initiatives of government agencies, residents and community organisations could help restore the ecological health and natural beauty of the lakes in Gulshan, Baridhara, Banani, Niketan and Hatirjheel, making them cleaner, less polluted and more environmentally sustainable for future generations.

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