Unblocking Dhaka's arteries
The indifference of the authorities to the continuing encroachment and dumping of waste materials on what used to be canals with fresh water flow and aquatic biodiversity, we believe, is shocking. One can easily guess, just by looking at the 3 glaring photographs of the problem published by this newspaper on Wednesday, the severity of the menace.
The first photograph shows stores mushrooming up next to a road on what used to be a canal only a few years ago. The second show huge amounts of garbage dumped in Gobindapur Mridhabari Wasa canal in the West Moataile area of the capital; while the third shows how that is clogging up the storm water drainage rendering the canal almost useless. As revolting as the scenes in the photographs are, city dwellers are, unfortunately, no stranger to them. And what is most unfortunate is that it is, in most cases, influential people who continue to encroach on canals by ignoring all consequences of their actions.
Whereas the open canals are supposed to serve as major storm water carriers, because of relentless encroachments and mindless dumping of waste products, the city gets waterlogged every time there is any significant rain. But what does that speak about the handling of the problem by the authorities? Both mayors of the city had, in their election manifestos, pledged to reclaim the canals. On being elected, however, both said that they lacked the legal authority and the financial resources to do so.
This is unacceptable. The authorities need to immediately end the blocking of Dhaka's arteries before the city has a heart-attack resulting in severe consequences for all its dwellers.
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