Holding fair, decent elections acceptable at home and abroad is the only goal of the government, said Planning Advisor Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud.
He said, "We are implementing necessary reforms to ensure direct participation of the people. Due to this, it is not possible to undertake any major mega projects. However, projects that can be implemented in a short time are being approved and efforts are being made to start some important projects."
He said this at a view-exchange meeting held at the Chittagong Circuit House on Saturday. Government service providers of Chittagong Division, development project implementing agencies and senior officials of the administration participated in the meeting.
Additional divisional commissioner (development) Sharmin Jahan presided over the meeting. Chittagong City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain and senior officials of various departments were also present.
The advisor said, "Chittagong has grown in population, but not in civic amenities. Various problems could have been solved in a planned manner, but they were not done."
He highlighted various problems including waterlogging in the city, weakness of the sewage system, encroachment and uncleanliness of canals and drains, hill cutting and landslides, unplanned urbanization.
Regarding the environmental development of the lower part of the flyover from Bahaddarhat to the airport, he said, "It is important to increase the environment and beauty by planting trees in this part. For this, coordination with the forest department is required."
At the meeting, he asked officials of various organizations to know the current status, cost and problems of their projects. He also instructed them to identify implementable initiatives within a few months and send proposals to the ministry quickly when starting new projects.
Speaking at the meeting, city mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain emphasized on the introduction of the City Government system.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
