The Wasa authorities have been digging the streets of Dhaka during this monsoon too, in violation of the city corporation regulations, which is hampering traffic movement and increasing people’s sufferings.
As per the rules, no development work can be carried out after May and before October, said officials of Dhaka south and north city corporations.
Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) – a local government body – has repeatedly been carrying out the development activities at different parts of the mega city including Kanthalbagan, East Rajabazar and Mirpur.
Due to the construction and repair works amid rain, most of the streets have become unfit for transports as well as pedestrians, residents of Kanthalbagan area complained while talking to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
While it is a common allegation that the Wasa deliberately chooses the monsoon for starting such activities, the state-run agency claims that they try to avoid the rainy season but sometimes they cannot avoid it for different reasons.
Moreover, in most cases the authorities show reluctance to fill the holes created due to the digging activities. Therefore, pedestrians and vehicles face much troubles while using those roads after rains.
“Of course, we want development. But the government bodies should follow the rules too. I think they should stop digging during the monsoon,” said Tanveer Alam, a resident of Kanthalbagan.
The Wasa authorities completed installing sewerage lines in Panthapath and Kanthalbagan areas two months back. But after that they started digging the same roads to install new water pipes, Mahfuza Begum of Kanthalbagan said.
Raju Das, a resident of East Rajabazar, said that installation of sewerage lines had begun in the area two months ago, but left incomplete. “Those roads are increasing miseries of the city dwellers,” he added.
When contacted, Wasa Managing Director Taksim A Khan said: “We always try to avoid the monsoon. But sometimes some projects are extended to the rainy season for delay in getting foreign funds or other reasons.”
The Wasa boss claimed that they could stop the activities during monsoon, but it would not improve the situation if started after the rainy days.
“We continue work during monsoon to avoid double harassment of the people,” he added.
Locals also alleged that apart from Wasa’s mindless activities, most of the development works are done without proper coordination among the city’s utility providers.
The Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC), Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited (Desco), Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Ltd (BTCL) and the two city corporations are blamed for carrying out development activities during or just before the monsoon.
