Waterlogging caused trouble for many in the capital on Wednesday morning after only 30 minutes of rain. The concern that emerges now is how well-prepared the authorities of Dhaka North and South city corporations are to deal with flooding during the upcoming rainy season.
Panthapath, Sukrabad, New Market and Hussaini Dalan Road areas of Old Dhaka were flooded. According to Shishir Hoque, a journalist living in the Hussaini Dalan Road area, the water accumulation on the road has been a problem every year.
A day before, DSCC Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapas claimed at a press conference that they had taken measures to prevent waterlogging by constructing infrastructure in 136 places at a cost of Tk225 crore and that the roads would not go underwater after rainfall as a result.
Dhaka South
According to DSCC sources, initiatives have been taken to create an aesthetic environment by removing waste and silt from four canals in Shyampur, Manda, Jirani and Kalungar. The design, drawing and survey work for these four canals, to be implemented at a cost of Tk898 crore, is ongoing.
At the same time, a tender process has been completed for the purpose of waste removal from and land development in these canals.
The original Buriganga channel, which stretches from Muslim Bagh in Kamrangirchar to Rayerbazar, is about 7km long. But due to the construction of many business establishments like Matador Ballpen and Panna Battery factories, and many multi-storey buildings, this channel has become extremely narrow.
Apart from the eviction of all illegal structures, the process of re-demarcation of the channel has also started with the cooperation of all stakeholders, including the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), the Water Development Board, the National River Protection Commission and the Dhaka district administration.
The DSCC has continued its waste removal program at a cost of Tk25 crore with its own funding. In addition, the recruitment of consultants for the formulation of a development project proposal (DPP) and conducting soil testing and survey activities in the channel are progressing in full swing.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mizanur Rahman and Chief City Planner Md Sirajul Islam were contacted over the phone regarding the waterlogging plan, but could not be reached.
Dhaka North
On the other hand, the whole Farmgate area was flooded with rainwater mixed with drain waste after just a few minutes of rain on Wednesday morning. Water had accumulated on both sides of the road in front of Anondo Cinema Hall.
Shopkeeper Shaheen Mia said it was a regular phenomenon during the monsoon. “During rains, travel on this road becomes exceedingly difficult.”
Knee-deep water was also seen in the North Badda area. Maruf, a local resident, said: “Recently, I moved house and returned to North Badda Purbachal Road where I had spent my childhood. I have seen that after the rain, there was knee-deep water on the street. But the local councillor lives within 500 yards of my home.”
According to sources at the DNCC, such waterlogging occurs in 103 places with Uttarkhan and Dakshinkhan areas facing the worst situation. It is the result of a lack of drains along with narrow roads that are impassable for people and vehicles.
The DNCC is evicting illegal structures to free the canals and solve the waterlogging problem. For this purpose, a project is underway for the delimitation of 29 canals and one regulating pond, the installation of boundary pillars after the eviction of illegal occupants, and the creation of a GIS database of canals and ponds.
At present, the DNCC is conducting excavation and removal of sludge from Kalyanpur Regulatory Pond. Moreover, a quick response team (QRT) has been formed to deal with the flooding caused by heavy rain in the capital.
The authorities are also considering the construction of a storm sewerage line from Dhaka airport to Abdullahpur by rebuilding the drains on both sides to eliminate waterlogging in the coming rainy season. Officials have also planned steps for the road from Abdullahpur Tongi Bridge to Banani Level Crossing where the construction of some mega projects are underway. The DNCC is likely to forward the plans to the Roads and Highways Department.
DNCC CEO Md Salim Reza could not be reached for comment on the progress and preparation of the decisions.
Meanwhile, when contacted, DNCC Chief Urban Planner Maqsood Hashem said there was actually no planning here. He then advised this reporter to talk to officials in charge of the drainage circle in the Engineering Department.
Superintending Engineer (Mechanical), Drainage Circle (Additional Duty), Abul Hasnat Md Ashraful Alam could not be reached despite repeated attempts.
