Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said on Thursday that there is no room for negligence in taking tough and coordinated measures to curb river pollution, stating that failure to act effectively now would leave the nation accountable to future generations.

“River pollution has reached an intolerable level. If we fail to take effective action now, we will be held accountable by future generations,” he said.

The Prime Minister made the remark while addressing a meeting titled- Improvement of Water and Environment of the Buriganga River at the Bangladesh Secretariat, said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin.

Tarique Rahman said, “There is no room for negligence in taking strict and coordinated measures to prevent river pollution. Alongside formulating an action plan, we must also ensure its effective implementation.”

According to the deputy press secretary, the Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to quickly prepare a coordinated action plan and take effective steps to prevent pollution in the Buriganga and other rivers surrounding the capital.

It was also decided to form an inter-agency coordination committee under the supervision of the Prime Minister’s Office to prepare and implement a coordinated, time-bound action plan for preventing pollution in the rivers surrounding the capital.

The committee will coordinate the activities of the relevant ministries, divisions and agencies, periodically review progress and submit reports to the Prime Minister’s Office.

The meeting reviewed the current environmental condition of the Buriganga, Turag, Balu, Shitalakkhya and other rivers adjacent to Dhaka, discussing major sources of pollution, existing challenges and long-term solutions.

It identified untreated industrial effluents discharged into rivers, inadequate sewerage and drainage systems, reduced navigability of canals and weak solid waste management as the major causes of river pollution.

The meeting stressed ensuring the effective operation of Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) at industrial establishments, improving canal and drainage systems, and conducting regular drives against polluters.

It also underscored the need for strict enforcement of existing environmental laws and stronger coordination among the relevant government agencies.

The participants further discussed measures to enhance public awareness and ensure greater citizen participation in river conservation efforts.

The meeting attached special importance to coordinated action among the Department of Environment, Bangladesh Water Development Board, Dhaka WASA, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), RAJUK, Dhaka North and South City Corporations, district administration and other relevant agencies.

The Prime Minister also instructed the authorities to involve environmental organisations, voluntary groups, educational institutions and local communities with the initiative.

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam, Commander of the Dhaka Naval Area Rear Admiral Abdullah-Al-Maksus, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar, and senior officials of the relevant ministries and divisions attended the meeting.