The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Environmentalists and city dwellers yesterday urged the government to take initiatives for the development of Narayanganj in a planned manner.

They also called upon the government not to sell the acquired government land and establish playground and park for ensuring a healthy environment.

Narayanganj, which is called the Dundee of the east, is facing severe shortage of civic amenities, said ATM Kamal, president, Narayanganj City Development Committee at a press briefing at the VIP auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity.

Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), Narayanganj City Development Committee and environment organisation ' Nirbik' jointly organised the programme.

It was also addressed, among others, by ASM Shahjahan, vice president of BAPA and former adviser of the caretaker government, Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, member, Bangladesh Cricket Control Board, Advocate AB Siddique, president of Narayanganj Nagorik Committee, Alhaj Jannatul Ferdous, joint convenor of Narayanganj City Development Committee, Dr Md Abdul Matin, general secretary , Sharif Jamil, joint secretary general of BAPA, Maksudul Alam Khandaker, panel mayor of Narayanganj city and Jafar Sadek Chancal, coordinator of Nirbik.

ATM Kamal urged the government to stop selling of RAJUK and other public bodies acquired lands rather than utmost utilisation of those lands for city dwellers recreation, handing over all the acquired lands to the city municipality and saving the river 'Sitalakhha' from pollution and encroachment.