DSCC working to ease waterlogging: Taposh

Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said DSCC is hoping to reduce waterlogging problems during the upcoming rainy season.

The DSCC mayor made the comment at a press conference held at Nagar Bhaban yesterday, marking one year of himself and city corporation councillors in office.

"We have cleaned 10 lakh tonnes of waste from two box-culverts and four canals. This has improved water flow of the canals. I believe we will manage to give the city's people a great relief from waterlogging during the coming rainy season," Taposh said.

The government, amid severe criticism over the city's waterlogging, had handed over the drainage system with 26 canals and 385 km main drainage lines to the city corporations from Dhaka WASA on November 26, 2020.

DSCC officials said among the 26 canals in the capital, 11 are under DSCC and the rest are under Dhaka North City Corporation jurisdiction.

The mayor added that the city corporation has started cleaning works of the canals, some which are blocked up to 80 percent with various kinds of waste.

"We hope that by June 20, DSCC will be able to complete cleaning 715km of canals," Taposh said.

While talking to the media, he also outlined some other initiatives. He reiterated his stand against corruption, recounting his firing of a number of DSCC staff, including engineers and revenue official, and conducting a drive against illegal shops.

"Fighting corruption is a continuous process, we will take actions against all sorts of corruption gradually," the mayor said.

Talking about the drive against illegal shops in different markets, he said they will take steps to gradually demolish all such shops constructed illegally at different DSCC markets.

In addition, he said DSCC has already picked up an 'Integrated City Master Plan for Dhaka (2020-50)' to ensure planned development of the city, in line with his election pledge.

Among others, DSCC councillors and officials were present at the event.