Water pump stations received from Wasa out of order: Taposh

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh yesterday said the water pumping stations they received from Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa), when the charge of canals was handed over, are out of order. 

The DSCC mayor made the comment while he was briefing reporters, after his weekly visit to South Manda and Basabo areas.

"This is a huge obstacle for DSCC. They [Wasa] failed to repair those pumps, and we are trying to repair them through experts," he said.

Taposh said DSCC started their canal cleaning and recovery work, and it is ongoing.

Warning encroachers, the mayor said encroachers will not be able to thwart canal recovery work, no matter how influential they are.

"Shyampur canal is only eight feet wide, although it is supposed to be 100 feet. We have started recovering it and the drive is still ongoing," he said.

He added that the same situation prevails in every canal. "We have found some new encroachment during our visit at Manda canal, and we will take action."

He said authorities have already removed one lakh metric tonnes of garbage from the canals in the last 45 days, and they have also excavated the soil.

The mayor said the corporation is scheduled to continue its work till March 31, so that they can ensure proper water movement through the canals.

He, however, said DSCC will redesign their plan and strategy from the middle of March, and will extend their work till mid-April.

"Though it is tough work, we will continue it. If we can continue the work in this way, we hope we will be able to reduce the waterlogging problem in the upcoming rainy season," Taposh said.

Among others, DSCC Chief Waste Management Officer Air Commodore Badrul Amin and Chief Estate Officer Rassel Subrin were present during the visit.