Masterplan to Solve Waterlogging 'Soon', Taposh Promises

With the start of the rainy season, the common danger of waterlogging across the capital is showing signs of a comeback, but Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Fazle Noor Taposh is determined not to enable that.

The Mayor of the DSCC said that the authorities are trying to find a lasting solution to the issue of waterlogging. He outlined many facets of city management in an interview.

"We are looking for a permanent solution to the problem of water stagnation in the DSCC during the rainy season ... urban planners working with us have been guided to formulate action plans," Taposh said, adding that a large team of eminent planners will develop and implement a master plan to eliminate waterlogging.

He noted that although many of the water bodies have been filled up in the town's corporate area, there are still some that can be recovered. "The canals and lakes that already remain, if we can manage their flow and clean them properly to ensure long-term protection, will enable us to avoid waterlogging."

The DSCC is marking those said water bodies to start the restoration works. Taposh noted that some of them are occupied by various organisations.

“We are taking legal preparations to take them back under control and we will keep them clean because we have noticed that most of the outside organisations work without any accountability,” he told media and added that instead of implementing recovery projects they just waste money.

The DSCC Mayor asserted that if reservoirs can be properly cleaned, waterlogging in Dhaka can be reduced by 70%. He said that the DSCC will also soon undertake the old Buriganga Channel Rescue Project.

In terms of waste management, the city corporation is undergoing massive change, said the mayor. He confirmed that waste management centres will be built in 75 wards across DSCC.

“The workers will collect wastes and dump them for 12 hours every day from 6 am to 6 pm,” he said.

Source: UNB