A drainage project in shambles

We cannot stress enough the importance of timely and well-managed public works. But the ongoing drainage installation work along the 2.5-kilometre road stretch from Kawlabazar to Dakkhin Khan Bazar via Shiyaldanga Road, as reported by this daily, is a textbook case of how not to handle such projects. Instead of improving residents' lives as intended, this DNCC botchwork has left them mired in trouble and disruption.

According to locals, the drainage work has dragged on for two years now. Residents say that only a fraction of the road has been carpeted despite drainage pipes already being laid. The slow pace of work has severely affected small businesses and schools alike. Schoolchildren, for instance, are struggling to walk home on rainy days, while small entrepreneurs say their incomes have dropped by half due to customers avoiding the area. Vehicle owners too have reported disruptions, parking problems, and financial loss.

DNCC officials have cited resistance from residents over vacating occupied portions of the road as a reason for delays. While such barriers may impact work, they cannot justify prolonged inaction or poor project management. The longer the work drags on, the greater the cost to livelihoods, mobility, and public safety. Knee-deep water, loose soil, and unfinished surfaces increase the risk of accidents and diseases.

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Dhaka’s dug-up roads need quick fixes

Across Dhaka, we have seen how such dug-up roads, left by utility providers or city corporations, have become a recurring nightmare. The 2019 Road Excavation Policy clearly states that excavation must be done in small sections, completed within 15 days, and debris cleared within 24 hours. In reality, these rules are seldom enforced, and projects are allowed to stretch indefinitely. This undermines the very goals of such infrastructure works.

We, therefore, urge DNCC to immediately accelerate the completion of this project. Coordination with local stakeholders should be strengthened, and any land disputes resolved quickly through transparent negotiation. Contractors must be held accountable for meeting deadlines and quality standards. Beyond this, both city corporations of Dhaka must adopt a more disciplined approach to road works, following the excavation policy to the letter. Projects should be planned and implemented in phases that minimise disruption, with post-work restoration given the same priority as installation itself. Without such systemic changes, residents will continue to suffer from unfinished infrastructure projects.