PM praises Dhaka DC Farida’s green initiative as ‘Rupantar’ turns Aminbazar garbage dump into garden
Staff Correspondent
Prime Minister Tariq Rahman on Sunday inaugurated ‘Rupantar’, a massive greening project that has converted a two-decade-old hazardous waste dump in the Aminbazar–Hemayetpur area along the Dhaka-Aricha highway into an eco-friendly roadside garden.
Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony, where he planted a neem sapling, the Prime Minister highly appreciated the initiative and praised Farida Khanom, the first female Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dhaka, for setting an exemplary standard of public administration and environmental stewardship.
"This initiative in Aminbazar stands as a testament to how an area can be transformed for the welfare of the public through proper planning and good intention," the Prime Minister stated, encouraging administrative heads of other districts to emulate such proactive public service measures.
The transformation covers a four-kilometer stretch (10 to 25 meters wide) that was previously dominated by a 30-foot-high mountain of waste emitting unbearable odor and severe environmental pollution. Following a directive issued by the Prime Minister after witnessing the site in July, DC Farida Khanom supervised a three-month intensive waste clearance and soil preparation effort in collaboration with Savar Upazila administration and municipality.
The newly developed garden now features 6,585 trees and ornamental plants—including 1,050 neem saplings, betel nut trees, and soil-stabilizing grass species—alongside 20 surface drainage channels, a 3 kW renewable energy setup combining solar and wind power, and 120 electric lights for nocturnal illumination.
A broader track record of exemplary administration and service :
DC Farida Khanom’s successful execution of the ‘Rupantar’ project aligns with her growing reputation across national media for effective governance, administrative efficiency, and community-focused public service. Since taking charge as the capital's first female Deputy Commissioner, her tenure has been marked by dynamic leadership, prompt field-level interventions, and citizen-centric initiatives that have drawn widespread acclaim from civil society, public representatives, and central authorities.
By turning one of the capital's most polluted gateways into a scenic green zone, DC Farida Khanom has not only resolved a long-standing environmental hazard for thousands of local residents and commuters but has also established a benchmark for local administration across the nation.
