Lichu Bagan Road at Joar Shahara area of Baridhara in the capital has become unusable as it has been under sewage and unsanitary water continuously for more than a year now.
Despite being one of the busiest roads of the capital, it has now become a nightmare for commuters given it is constantly logged with poisonous water, with the authorities taking no step to solve the problem.
Locals blame the flooding on a lack of monitoring by the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), the two bodies responsible for managing the area’s sewerage and drainage systems.
Residents who live on both sides of Lichu Bagan Road, which is between Baridhara DOHS and Jamuna Future Park, and is adjoining to Pioneer Dental College, alleged that they have filed complaints several times to the authorities to solve the problem, but haven’t received any responses.
Faruque, a tea-stall owner beside the road, said: “The sewerage lines under the road have been blocked since a year. This has caused the roads to continuously flood with stinky sewage water.”
He added that there is no vehicular movement on the road, which has effectively cut them off. Thus, many locals are trying to get some media attention with the hope to pressurise Dhaka Wasa into taking some action.
Mohammad Afanul, a local resident, said: “We have informed the Wasa and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) authority but they did not take any step. Although a private TV channel has published a report, it has not had any effect.”
He further claimed that many high profile government officials including a secretary live in the area but don’t appear concerned about the problem.
“We’ve even seen that the secretary goes on foot into the road flooded with sewage water. How is that possible?” he asks, adding bitterly that the government has been irresponsible about this issue.
“Those officials are busy with only one target: how to take public money into their pockets, nothing else,” he said angrily.
During a spot visit yesterday, the Dhaka Tribune observation found that the road was immersed in pitch black waters, with no vehicular or even public movement.
We also noted that four education institutions including a private dental college, and a university college were situated adjacent to the major road of the area. Besides, there are at least three garment factories, making the area rather populated. When asked what is being done, this correspondent found conflicting reports.
Faruque said: “Around eight months ago, a team of (DNCC) paid a visit and took measurements for renovation. However, there has been no further step from them.”
However, Wasa Managing Director Taqseem A Khan told the Dhaka Tribune that he had no idea about this issue, and in fact expressed shock at the incident.
“What were the concerned persons doing this whole year?” he asked, inquiring further if the issue falls under Dhaka Wasa’s service.
“I will direct concerned officials to look into the problem and take necessary steps,” he added.
However, during the spot visit this correspondent found that few labours were working adjacent to the Lichu Bagan Road.
Several attempts were made to contact DNCC Chief Engineer Brig Gen Md Gazi Firoz Rahman, but he remained unavailable for comment on this matter.
