The old picture changed a lot in the last four months after the City Corporations had taken over the responsibility of the canals in the capital from Dhaka WASA.
The flow of water has increased as 80 per cent of canals and ditches have been cleared including eviction of illegal installations and structures. The city corporation authorities said all the canals would be cleaned before the onset of the monsoon season.
In the four months since the two city corporations in Dhaka took over, the old picture of the capital's canals has changed a lot. The currents are flowing smoothly in the canals of Dhaka.
The Dhaka City Corporations (DCCs) are now in charge of the entire drainage management of the city, including the maintenance and operation of 26 canals, about 365 km large canals and four pump stations. These canals have undergone changes since January as a result of eviction of occupation, illegal installations and waste disposal.
The mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) said it would be easy to ensure civic amenities around the canals.
There were 56 paper canals in the capital. Of which, 39 canals exist. RAJUK and Water Development Board are still in charge of several canals and drains including the Hatirjheel.
He also thinks that it is necessary to accelerate speed to get the full benefits of removing water logging.
Mayor Atiqul Islam said it would be easier to ensure civic amenities if it was possible to bring the service providers under the City Corporations net.
Dhaka WASA has been supervising the canals of Dhaka since 1988 as a total of 26 major canals in the city were under WASA’s authority. DNCC and DSCC have taken the charge of these canals as all of them are facing extinction. Initially, the authorities have taken a plan to rescue and restore the canals with the manpower of WASA.
According to DNCC CEO, “We are currently moving forward with three stages of plan -- short-term, medium-term and long-term – to improve Dhaka’s drainage system. Dhaka North City Corporation is currently working on storm water release system, rescuing canal land from the occupiers, marking proper borders for the canal with the help of Dhaka District Administration. By coordinating with various agencies, we are also working on Fecal Sludge Management (FSL) and removing solid layers of waste from the canal surface”.
