Inhabitants of Dhaka’s Azimpur residential area remain besieged with problems due to unplanned and damaged roads, a broken sewerage system, and an absence of garbage bins. On top of this, the area has become a haven for drug addicts, which has further added to feelings of insecurity and lawlessness. Despite the situation, the authorities remain indifferent.
During a visit to Azimpur, this correspondent found that most of the roads and footpaths are in a pitiful state- the area remains water-logged even in the dry season. A group of influential people have established their businesses, such as kitchen markets, in the area, illegally occupying the footpath between the Chhapra Mosque and Azimpur Maternity Hospital.
Influential people from the locality and gang leaders keep the market from being shut down, and in exchange take protection money from the shop owners. The residents of the area said they were tired of complaining to the authorities to remove the market as no action has been taken thus far. Due to the illegal encroachment, no one is able to walk along the footpaths in the area.
The area surrounding the Azimpur graveyard is being controlled by drug users during the night-time hours. Every day after 10.30pm, drug users gather in the area and openly take and sell drugs in the presence of law enforcers, who show no interest in arresting them.
Officer-in-Charge of Lalbagh Police Station Azizul Haque told the Dhaka Tribune: “We are sincerely trying to control the use of drugs in the area and we keep arresting drug peddlers regularly.”
The residents of the area are also suffering from mosquito infestations. No city workers have been seen in the area in a month, even though a zonal office has been set up by the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) in the area. The only foot over bridge in the area has been filled with garbage.
Azimpur comes under ward 26 of the Dhaka South City Corporation which has at least 27,000 voters. There are three exercise centres, one children’s park, two graveyards and a maternity hospital in the area.
Former ward councillor and BNP leader Mir Ashraf Ali, also a resident of the area, said, “In absence of ward councillors the development of the area has stopped. Damaged roads, sewerage problems are rampant in this part of Dhaka.”
“Besides, the clogged drains also lead to unabated growth of mosquitoes, turning it into a major problem,” he added.
Former vice-president of Bangladesh Chhatra League Hasibur Rahman Manik said the inhabitants of the area were not getting any public services from the city corporation.
“People are suffering badly as most of the roads in the area are damaged and there is unabated growth of mosquitoes and sewerage problems,” he said.
When asked for his comments, Executive Officer of DCC zone-3 KM Kabir Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune: “I am trying my best to give proper service to the people since I joined the post.”
“I am not saying that there are no problems in getting service, but we take immediate action when we get complaints about any irregularities,” he said.
