Dhakas drainage: A single body may perform better
the drainage
system of Dhaka has worsened in the past years rather than improving
Indeed if the responsibility of the Dhakas drainage can be brought under one authority as the government is planning to do it, it can be hoped that the system would be substantially improved and we welcome this move. Presently, according to a report published in this newspaper yesterday, there are as many as six organizations involved in the sewage system of Dhaka and there is hardly any coordination or cooperation between these entities.
When the water logging becomes a great problem for the city dwellers during the monsoon or sewage discharge system does not perform well, these organizations throw blame on one another, and at this, actual delivery of the job becomes even more difficult. And for this none of these organizations could be held accountable. As a result, the drainage system of Dhaka has worsened in the past years rather than improving. A minimum rainfall makes the busy thoroughfares of Dhaka inundated for hours. In the last monsoon, we have seen boats ferry people to cross water. There are many problems of Dhaka city and water logging is one of the most acute one.
That is why bringing the system under one single authority has a strong point and it is a long felt need. Presently, Dhaka North and South City Corporations, the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DWASA), the Water Development Board, the Cantonment Board and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) look after the upkeep of Dhakas 2400-km long system.
However, better late than never, and the governments concerned ministry is thinking to give the whole responsibility to two city corporations, Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporations, for doing the job. In fact the DWASA which is maintaining 400 kms of drains has requested the two city corporations that maintain the rest 2000-km drainage, to take the responsibility. But these two organizations are not willing to take the whole of it, citing that the most of the Dhakas canals are choked and encroached upon.
There is also a problem here. Normally, DWASA maintains the citys canals, though the owner of these canals is the Dhaka district administration. The two city corporations have said that if these canals are reclaimed and cleaned, they would take the responsibility. This can be done very positively. If the two city corporations are given the authority and other necessary supports, after reclamation of the canals, the two city corporations can improve the system. But mere giving would not end the Dhakas longstanding problem of water-logging, if the whole drainage system is well planned and built accordingly.
