Media report highlighted road digging and spilling of big pipes and construction materials in major thoroughfares in city centers such at Sonargaon intersection and on road towards Shahbagh. Similar digging is reported in Farmgate areas. Another report in a national daily highlighted the plight of the Baridhara Diplomatic Zone where road digging and dismantling of pavement is almost blocking the driveway and movement of pedestrians. People are failing to bring out their vehicles while the staff members of the Diplomatic Missions are facing serious inconveniences. This is a common scene almost all over the city.
One thing is not clear why the two City Corporation officials start rebuilding roads and pavements or WASA starts installing underground pipelines facing the stormy rainy season. They know that this is not the right time and yet they wait for the rainy season. The question is why they can’t start such project early in the financial years and dry winter season. Most city projects start late when the financial year is closer to end to suggest the City Corporation officials or other utility providers become active at the year-end to exhaust the huge development fund in their hands. It goes without saying that much of the funds go to benefit the contractors and the officials.
We have published several editorials in recent past only to draw attention of the City Corporations’ officials and such other utility providers asking them to keep public inconveniences in mind while projects are implemented.
We know that both City Mayors are highly sensible persons. But what is expected of them is not to talk like incompetent politicians. They must work hard to prove their dedication to serve the people and solve public inconveniences. The roads are to be built, city is to be kept clean, but not ignoring public sufferings. The whole Dhaka city is a ‘role model of mismanagement’ of city projects.
