Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has praised Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam and other officials for transforming a long-neglected stretch along the Dhaka-Aricha highway, from Aminbazar to Hemayetpur, by removing years of accumulated waste and developing a landscaped garden.He thanked the officials and employees involved in the initiative, saying the transformation demonstrated how planning and determination could improve the environment and people's quality of life.The prime minister formally inaugurated the “Rupantor” project on Sunday by planting a neem sapling in Aminbazar. Those of you who live in this area know what this place looked like two months ago. Look at how much it has changed in just about two months, he said.He added that the four-kilometre stretch had not only become more visually appealing but had also created a better environment for people living nearby.Residents urged to preserve the transformationTarique Rahman said the government had taken the initiative to improve the area, but maintaining its new appearance would also require the cooperation of local residents. With public participation, he said, environmentally harmful problems could gradually be addressed, allowing people to breathe cleaner air.The prime minister suggested extending the initiative beyond the existing four-kilometre stretch. He called for discussions with owners of mills and factories along both sides of the highway to allocate nearby vacant land for landscaping and assign responsibility for its maintenance.He also asked local lawmakers to support the district administration in carrying out the work. Emphasising the need for a permanent solution to waste management, he said the area should be developed into a greener and more environmentally friendly zone.Praising Dhaka DC Farida Khanam, the prime minister said her initiative had set an example for district commissioners across the country. He expressed hope that the administrators of the other 63 districts would be encouraged to undertake similar environment-friendly projects.From a two-decade-old dump to a gardenFor nearly two decades, waste had been dumped along the Dhaka-Aricha highway in Aminbazar, creating large piles of garbage. In some places, the waste heaps had reached heights of up to 30 feet.The problem came to the prime minister’s attention on July 7, when he noticed the landfill and the foul smell while travelling to Singair in Manikganj to inspect a Bangladesh Army exercise. He subsequently instructed Mir Shah Alam, state minister for local government, rural development and cooperatives, to take the necessary measures.Following the directive, waste removal and beautification work began under the supervision of Dhaka DC Farida Khanam, with support from the local administration.After the waste was removed, the land was prepared for landscaping. Palisading was installed to protect the soil, while 20 surface drains and a service shed were constructed to improve water drainage. Different types of grass, including Napier, Bermuda and Binna, were planted to help prevent soil erosion.6,585 trees and ornamental plants across four kilometresThe garden stretches for about four kilometres, with a width ranging from 10 to 25 metres. A total of 6,585 trees and ornamental plants of different varieties have been planted there.The plantation includes 1,050 neem trees, 3,815 areca palms, 60 palmyra trees, 650 Madhabilata plants, 45 Syzygium plants and 700 Rangoon creeper plants. Environment-friendly infrastructure has also been installed, including a two-kilowatt solar panel system and a one-kilowatt wind turbine. A total of 120 electric lights have been set up to illuminate the area at night.The transformation has given Aminbazar, one of the main gateways to the capital, a greener and more attractive appearance. However, sustaining the improvement will depend on effective waste management, regular maintenance and continued cooperation from local residents.