'Carpet placed to avoid slips, not as reception': What Dhaka North said about viral canal renovation inauguration

The Dhaka North City Corporation today (2 February) issued a press note on the canal renovation ceremony at the edge of Baunia Canal in Mirpur, which generated a lot of ridicule for having a red carpet reception. 

After delivering speeches, the advisers and guests present at the ceremony boarded the floating excavator to officially inaugurate the renovation work, the note said.

"After the ceremony, journalists asked why a red carpet was given to enter the excavator. In this context, the DNCC authorities clearly stated that the place where the excavator was kept was not placed on a permanent pontoon, but rather at a temporary place."

3 advisers inaugurate canal excavation with red carpet entry

It said in addition, the road to the excavator was very steep and muddy, making the path slippery, so the carpet-like mat was used to ensure the safe movement of the guests.

"The DNCC has very carefully observed that the media has reported that during the inauguration ceremony, the guests walked on a red carpet and entered the canal and got on the floating excavator to start the work. This is not a formal red carpet, but rather a measure put in place only for the sake of safety. There is no intention of showing any kind of waste or excessive respect here," said the note signed by Maqbul Hossain, the DNCC's public relations officer.