DSCC builds new app to keep an eye on cleaners

The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) is going to introduce a mobile application to improve its waste management system through strict monitoring of officials and workers. A trial version of the mobile app is expected to be launched next week. Although the DSCC has 5,216 cleaners, waste is often seen lying open on the streets of various areas under its jurisdiction. Mayor Sayeed Khokon has faced criticism in the past for poor waste management. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, too, had ordered speeding up of the cleaning work. The situation has not improved even after the installation of 5,700 mini-dustbins. Negligent cleaners have often been blamed for the situation. The DSCC earlier resorted to ‘digital tracking system’ to prevent its employees from neglecting their duties. The workers were given SIM cards that could be tracked to identify their location. But the DSCC’s efforts went in vain as the workers found ways to cheat. With the new mobile app, a field-level waste management officer will now have to take pictures and videos of important points, establishments and roads in his work area and upload them through the app before 7am. The mayor, chief executive officer, chief waste management officer and other senior officers will have direct access to the monitoring system. Officials not attending work can easily be traced. “Mayor Sayeed Khokon is introducing this application to make the waste management system more dynamic,” DSCC System Analyst Md Abu Tayeb Rokon said. “Its trial version will be launched next week and the application will be formally launched later,” he added. DSCC Additional Chief Waste Management Officer Khandakar Millatul Islam said the mayor had given directives to improve the waste management system. “Cleaners and their supervisors and the whole waste management system will be monitored through the application to ensure no one can neglect their duties,” he added.  This story was first published on Bangla Tribune