The government initiatives to get rid of water-logging in the capital have proven unsuccessful, with the perennial problem running its own course this monsoon also.
In the wake of yesterday’s rainfall, many areas across the capital were inundated and the stagnant water began to take its toll on the city life.
As usual, Shukrabad, Indira Road, Rajabazar, Mouchak, Malibagh, Moghbazar, Shantinagar, Badda, Baridhara, Natun Bazar, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Rayerbazar, Hazaribagh, Old Dhaka, Sayedabad and Jatrabari areas went under knee-deep water, leaving the city dwellers marooned for the time being.
A series of irregularities, plus negligence on the part of local government bodies in maintaining the city’s drainage system are allegedly responsible for the woes of the city dwellers.
Even the prime minister’s directives to local government bodies – Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority, Dhaka North and South City Corporations, Rajuk, PWD and WDB – to immediately take steps to address the waterlogging produced no desired effect.
In an effort to rid the capital of waterlogging, Dhaka Wasa, the prime state-owned agency to maintain the city’s drainage and sewerage system, set up pumping stations in Kallyanpur, Dholaikhal, Rampura and Kamlapur to drain off rainwater, but appeared ineffective.
In addition, the Dhaka Water Supply and Sanitation project in association with the World Bank, approved by the government in September 2008 could not make a difference.
As part of the project, the Wasa took steps to reclaim 26 canals from the grabbers, but failed to recover properly.
Though the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) have long been installing pipes along the storm drains in different areas in the city, the efforts did little to address the waterlogging.
The city residents attributed the longstanding problem to the sluggish attitude of the Wasa and the city corporation authorities to consider the issue seriously.
Alamgir Kabir, owner of a tea stall in Shukrabad, said waterlogging became a regular feature in the entire Shukrabad, Indira Road and Rajabazar areas during monsoon.
“We are facing this problem every year and so we want to get rid of it.”
Since the divide of city corporations, drainage and street maintenance in many places has not been done properly as the DSCC and DNCC authorities are uncertain about which areas of the city fall under whose jurisdiction.
Admitting the poor condition of the roads and drains of the inundated areas, DSCC Chief Engineer Zahangir Alam told the Dhaka Tribune, Shukrabad, Indira Road and Rajabazar were not under their jurisdiction.
“We have nothing to do with the repair work in those areas,” he said.
The city corporation’s Chief Executive Officer Ansar Ali Khan said: “I suppose only Shukrabad is under the DSCC, not Indira road and the adjacent areas.”
He added that he would seek information on the demarcation and talk to the officials concerned.
Contacted, Dhaka Wasa Deputy Managing Director (administration) Md Ataur Rahman termed the waterlogging a temporarily problem.
He attributed fund crunch to the poor drainage and sewerage system in the city.
“We have already contacted different donor agencies for their support to develop this sector in Dhaka,” he added.
Ataur also blamed the city people for dumping of waste in the canals and drains, which prevents free flow of water.
