"A master plan should be prepared so that no such crisis arises in the next 50 years," he said while placing the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) budget for the fiscal 2005-2006.

Most parts of the city were awash on Sunday amid heavy downpour due to faulty drainage system, crippling civic life.

The city father said the Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) is responsible for tackling the waterlogging, not the DCC. He also blamed the Wasa for its delays in regular work.

"If the government does not help, it is quite impossible to resolve the waterlogging problem in Dhaka," Khoka told reporters in the budget-placing session at Mohanagor Natymancha.

FOOD ADULTERATION
The mayor said the DCC is unable to take necessary actions against adulteration of food items in hotels, restaurants, fast food and fruit shops for want of modern equipment and adequate manpower.

Newspaper reports say massive adulteration of food items, particularly the use of toxic chemicals and colours as preservatives, are causing serious public health hazard.

Khoka however said the DCC is taking actions as per the Pure Food Ordinance 1959, Pure Food Rules 1967 and the DCC regulations.

SEPARATE POLICE FORCE
Khoka strongly felt the need for a separate police force for conducting drives to prevent various transgressions of rules in the capital.

He said the DCC authorities do not get adequate help from the law enforcers in operations against the offenders.

"It is very hard to keep the footpaths free from illegal occupants…adequate police can hardly be available in time," he told the newsmen.

He emphasised necessary police force during drives to reclaim footpaths from illegal occupation and demolish unauthorised hotels and restaurants.

"We need a separate police force to facilitate the drives, and I urge the LGRD ministry and other authorities concerned to take steps in this regard," Khoka said.