Changing Dhaka into a �smart� city
Over time the
city has expanded
phenomenally, both
horizontally and vertically; and its population has
burgeoned but civic
amenities have not increased
proportionately
The Dhaka North City Mayor, Annisul Huq, recently said they are now in the process of making Dhaka a smart city overcoming various challenges so that people feel safe and have a hassle-free life. This the mayor planned to do within three years. The mayor made this commitment at a seminar titled Smart City by Sweden at a hotel in the capital with Swedish Ambassador in Dhaka Johan Frisell in the chair. Are there reasons for the city-dwellers to feel elated at the mayoral assurance?
Over the past few decades the city has expanded phenomenally, both horizontally and vertically; and its population has burgeoned but the civic amenities have not increased proportionately. The city-dwellers are bearing the brunt of water logging, absence of solid waste management, air pollution, severe traffic jam, inadequate public transport, noise pollution, faulty drainage system, surge in crimes and mosquito menace, among others.
After taking over the responsibilities by the two city mayors, signs of change for the better could indeed be noticed. In the last Eid-ul-Azha, the mayors showed promptness in the disposal of the carcasses and coagulated bloods of the sacrificial animals that gave the city people respite from the odious stench. But that was short-lived. The tempo of the activities could not be maintained.
Water-logging after rainfall and traffic jam in the city have become a regular phenomenon. Piles of garbage near roads and overflowing of clogged drains at many places are spreading foul odour. Mosquito menace is another problem that the city residents are confronting.
The drive to make the city clean is seldom seen. The footpaths are crowded with hawkers and peddlers. Air pollution level in the capital is taking a dismal turn day by day. The tanneries from Hazaribagh in the city are yet to be shifted to Savar. Children and elderly people are bearing the brunt of the situation. They are suffering from various respiratory tract related ailments after breathing the polluted air.
It is high time for the city mayors to be prompt in identifying the problems and solve those in phases. Effective coordination among various ministries and departments is needed for this. There is no scope for foot-dragging and dilly-dallying. The city-dwellers, particularly the children, who are the future citizens of the country, should not be exposed to the perennial problems the city is burdened with.
As Annisul Haq showed successes in clearing the truck terminal near Farmgate and illegal parking at Gabtoli, he has reasons to be confident. But for the city dwellers, they have to wait three years whether he is right.
