Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher today spoke as chief guest at the National Seminar on Three Projects Scheduled for Completion in Fiscal Year 2025-26 at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, May 20, 2026 (BSS) - Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher today said that a safe and livable Bangladesh must be built for future generations through science-based planning while maintaining a balance between development and the environment.

The minister made the remarks while addressing as chief guest the “National Seminar on Three Projects Scheduled for Completion in Fiscal Year 2025-26,” organized by the Urban Development Directorate at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.

Special guests at the seminar included State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahammad  Sohel Monzoor and member (senior secretary) of the Physical Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission Dr. Neemat Ulya Bhuiyan. 

The event was chaired by additional secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works Md. Abdul Matin.

The housing and public works minister said that in this era of rapid urbanization, there is no alternative to integrated spatial planning to ensure planned, inclusive, and sustainable urban development.

He said the planning of the three projects scheduled for completion has prioritized the protection of agricultural land, environmental conservation, improvement of communication systems, expansion of civic amenities, mitigation of waterlogging, reduction of disaster risks, and development of local economic potential.

The minister added that these initiatives would bring positive changes in building climate-resilient infrastructure, protecting the environment, preserving biodiversity, and improving people’s quality of life.

State Minister Ahammad Sohel Monzoor said spatial planning is very important for building people-friendly and modern cities. 

He noted that although similar plans had been formulated in the past, they were not implemented, and stressed the need to ensure effective implementation of the three projects presented at the seminar.

In his welcome speech, director of the Urban Development Directorate M. Mahmud Ali highlighted various activities of the three projects scheduled for completion.

Project directors also presented detailed information on the progress, implementation status, and future course of action of the three development projects set for completion in fiscal year 2025-26.

During the open discussion session, stakeholders and participants related to the projects shared their opinions on various information and outcomes derived from the projects.

Officials from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and its subordinate departments and agencies were present at the seminar.