Dhaka: Dhaka North City Mayor Annisul Huq on Monday said they are in the process of making Dhaka a ‘smart city’ overcoming ‘multifaceted challenges’ so that people feel safe and have a hassle-free life.  

‘The whole city will come under complete communication network in five years’ time and we’ll be able to monitor everything from our rooms,’ he said.

The mayor was addressing a seminar titled ‘Smart City by Sweden’ at a city hotel with Swedish Ambassador in Dhaka Johan Frisell in the chair.  

Describing the difficulties he faced so far in his drive to transform the city, Huq said he has made some commitments which remained ‘impossible’ for decades but things are changing now.  

‘The reason is the government (now) wants, the Prime Minister (Sheik Hasina) wants, she (PM) wants a smart city…she wants a developed city,’ said the Mayor.  

A smart city is a city where people feel safe. A smart city is defined as the ability to integrate multiple technological solutions in a secure fashion to manage the city's assets - the city's assets include, but not limited to, local departments information systems, schools, libraries, transportation systems, hospitals, power plants, law enforcement, waste management and others.  

He mentioned that they are committed to building a smart city and the entire Dhaka city should be totally connected.  

‘Today, the biggest problems in Dhaka are water logging, solid waste management and traffic. We’re exploring solutions but will need funding and investments to make more impactful progress,’ Huq said.

The Mayor said he is planning to take all the bad-shaped busses off the roads to replace those with modern ones through five ‘mother companies’. ‘This is probably the most influential business area which can’t be touched. But, I have started negotiations with the currently operating owners,’ he added.

On security aspects of the city, Huq said by June some 50-60 percent of the city will come under the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras. ‘We’ll install 700 cameras by 6 months.’  

LGRD Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain at the function spoke as the chief and highlighted the necessity of smart city and facilities required for a smart city. ‘Smart city is a city where citizens like to live and are able to live a modern life. This includes water and electricity supply, public transport, affordable housing, IT connectivity, health and education,’ he said.

Under the new global goals (SDG's), there is a commitment to make cities inclusive, safe, resilience and sustainable by 2030, said the minister adding, ‘We would like to have Sweden as a partner to achieve these goals.’

Earlier, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Director General (SS) Brig Gen Md Emdad ul Bari said the time is ripe to start a smart city drive, and well coordination is the key to achieving the smart city goal.

He emphasised ‘integration’ and interoperability with a central coordination body to fulfill the desire of having a smart city.

The BTRC officials also said emphasis on people’s engagement saying, ‘Smart city needs smart citizens. We need to engage people and show them the benefits so that people spontaneously participate in the process.’

CEO, Public Private Partnership Authority, Prime Minister’s Office Syed Afsor H Uddin also spoke on the occasion.

He encouraged private companies to invest in the country's development and said, 'Bangladesh is one of the few countries, which puts so much effort of public private partnerships.  

‘We have 43 new principal projects in the pipeline and will have many more coming up. Bangladesh is an immense opportunity for investments and a massive market with a high growth potential.’

Ambassador Johan Frisell said the Swedish companies presented their solutions and products for many challenges in Bangladesh in urban development such as waste management, transport, power, IT, traffic control and surveillance. ‘Smart City by Sweden shows Swedish companies' systems and products for a modern city that can be applied in Bangladesh,’ he added.

The companies that presented in the event were ABB, Axis Communications Pte Ltd, LM Ericsson Bangladesh Limited, Hifab, Scania, Sensys Gatso and Volvo.  

Representatives of the government of Bangladesh, various government agencies and boards, as well as private companies and institutions from the areas of infrastructure, power and transport were also present at the event.