Standard services for smarter cities

It is imperative to ensure quality and standard everywhere in the civic life

Experts at a discussion in Rajshahi on Saturday unequivocally called for giving utmost emphasis on following precise standards in manufacturing products and providing services to make cities smarter. According to a  report of this newspaper  on Sunday, they viewed substandard and adulterated consumer items always pose serious threat to the public health as well the entire society. They said this marking  the 48th World Standard Day-2017. "Standards Make cities smarter" was the main theme of the discussion.

It is the responsibility of the relevant authorities to ensure standard services for the city dwellers. But a question arises, how much service does a citizen get from the authorities? It is the duty of every citizen to behave prudently. He/she should keep his or her surroundings neat and clean first. But unfortunately the culture of cleanliness is yet to grow in this country. It seems that the inhabitants of the city hardly care to keep the city neat and clean. Throwing of plastic bags, papers, tissue papers, cigarette butts, fruit skins and biodegradable substance has become a part of urban culture.  

It is quite disturbing to note that the city dwellers are bearing the brunt of unclean roads, traffic congestion, air pollution, adulterated food items, power disruption and many other hazards.  Insensitivity is mainly responsible for this apathy that is doing a lot of mischief. The capital city and the other cities and towns are expanding both horizontally and vertically with their burgeoning population. But the civic amenities are not available in consonance with the same.  

In many developed countries keeping roads, thoroughfares, pavements, parks and other public places   clean and tidy is mandatory. Violators of the laws relating to cleanliness have to face action. So, none dares to disobey laws. But, unfortunately, in our country in the absence of stringent rules and vigilance people behave recklessly. As a result, stinking smells from dustbins and other places pollute the environment.    It is the responsibility of the city corporations to clean those regularly.

People's expectations are growing day by day with the development of technology. It is imperative to ensure quality and standard everywhere in the civic life to make the city smarter. For achieving the goal the overall mindset of the people should be changed. Massive awareness should be generated among people in this regard. Concerted and coordinated efforts should be made to ensure proper services to the taxpayers. Members of the law enforcing agencies, environmentalists and civil society can play vital roles in this regard. Mere utterance of platitudes is not enough, what is needed is concrete action. 

 

Standard services for smarter cities

It is imperative to ensure quality and standard everywhere in the civic life

Experts at a discussion in Rajshahi on Saturday unequivocally called for giving utmost emphasis on following precise standards in manufacturing products and providing services to make cities smarter. According to a report of this newspaper on Sunday, they viewed substandard and adulterated consumer items always pose serious threat to the public health as well the entire society. They said this marking the 48th World Standard Day-2017. Standards Make cities smarter was the main theme of the discussion. It is the responsibility of the relevant authorities to ensure standard services for the city dwellers. But a question arises, how much service does a citizen get from the authorities? It is the duty of every citizen to behave prudently. He/she should keep his or her surroundings neat and clean first. But unfortunately the culture of cleanliness is yet to grow in this country. It seems that the inhabitants of the city hardly care to keep the city neat and clean. Throwing of plastic bags, papers, tissue papers, cigarette butts, fruit skins and biodegradable substance has become a part of urban culture. It is quite disturbing to note that the city dwellers are bearing the brunt of unclean roads, traffic congestion, air pollution, adulterated food items, power disruption and many other hazards. Insensitivity is mainly responsible for this apathy that is doing a lot of mischief. The capital city and the other cities and towns are expanding both horizontally and vertically with their burgeoning population. But the civic amenities are not available in consonance with the same. In many developed countries keeping roads, thoroughfares, pavements, parks and other public places clean and tidy is mandatory. Violators of the laws relating to cleanliness have to face action. So, none dares to disobey laws. But, unfortunately, in our country in the absence of stringent rules and vigilance people behave recklessly. As a result, stinking smells from dustbins and other places pollute the environment. It is the responsibility of the city corporations to clean those regularly. Peoples expectations are growing day by day with the development of technology. It is imperative to ensure quality and standard everywhere in the civic life to make the city smarter. For achieving the goal the overall mindset of the people should be changed. Massive awareness should be generated among people in this regard. Concerted and coordinated efforts should be made to ensure proper services to the taxpayers. Members of the law enforcing agencies, environmentalists and civil society can play vital roles in this regard. Mere utterance of platitudes is not enough, what is needed is concrete action.