The authorities concerned did not take any effective measures to remove the problems which are worsening, locals alleged.

The previous government had taken an initiative to construct a box culvert in the area to remove waterlogging, but the current government has abandoned the plan, they said.

"The culvert would have solved all the problems that we are facing as it would have ensured a cleaner environment," said Tanvir Ahmed, a resident of North Bashabo.

Surrounded by buildings, tin-shed houses, a mosque, an under-construction community centre and a Water and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) water pump, the swamp traps rainwater and dirty water from nearby drains.

Moreover, locals dump garbage regularly into the water body causing a serious pollution of environment. "Stench coming from the swamp gets unbearable during the monsoon season," said a female resident of North Bashabo.

The residents also blamed the swamp for a drastic rise in the mosquito population in the area that also causes outbreak of various diseases.

As North Bashabo is a low-lying area, the swamp also becomes a reservoir for floodwater during the monsoon over the last decade.

"During the last two years' floods, this mosque remained inundated," said Hafez Ali Akbar, a staff of the North Bashabo Jhilpar Mosque.

During flood locals also suffer from acute water crisis as the water pump located right beside the swamp is affected by floodwaters.

Some residents of North Bashabo took initiative to clean the swamp but their effort turned fruitless due to lack of support from the government authorities.

"We strongly discourage the use of such areas as a garbage dumping ground," said a senior official at Conservancy Department of Dhaka City Corporation.

"It is the responsibility of the ward commissioner along with the residents of the area who are affected, to solve such problems," he said.

When contacted, sources at the commissioner's office said Golam Hossain, the ward commissioner, will be out of the country for the next three months. During his absence, Mirza Khokon, commissioner of ward no 34, will be taking over the responsibilities.

However, Mirza Khokon said he knew nothing about it. "I have not received any official letter to look after the ward during his absence," said Khokon.

Currently, the citizens of ward no 27 are being deprived of the services of their elected commissioner with no one available to look into their problems.