Save the moribund city

WE have used this space repeatedly over last several years to flag the dire straits that the capital city is in and the bleak prospect of its future as a city worth inhabiting. It already is the second worst city as far as the livable index is concerned and given the services rendered to the people living in Dhaka city, one wonders if things can get any worse for those nearly fifteen million of us who happen to endure the trauma that the city fathers inflict on us every day. The bleak prospect facing the city was once again highlighted at a conference titled, “Dhaka for future generations: Our actions” on Saturday, organised by Bangladesh Institute of Planners and Center for Development Communication.

It would not be an exaggeration to suggest that Dhaka city is perhaps the worst governed and most ill organised capital in the world. The traffic system is in a shambles and one can hardly find a major road that is not in a state of disrepair, not to speak of the by lanes. The Detail Area Plan has been virtually scuttled by the way its provisions have been compromised by the government.

We understand that a team of experts would seek recommendations from all concerned on ten related aspects which will be presented to the government for consideration. We would hope that not only would those be attended with due diligence, but those be also implemented without political consideration, something that has made DAP totally irrelevant and hollow.