DSCC takes action to make megacity livable

Shamsul Basunia/G R Pervez

Master plan has been taken to develop the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) with the intention of making it a livable metropolis. About 4 defunct canals Kalungar, Jirani, Manda and Shyampur will be dug and these canals will be reactivated. Chief Engineer Saleh Ahmed said this in an exclusive interview to Daily Tribunal. He said that the projects sent to the government have already been approved. The full text of the interview is presented to the readers here:–

Tribunal: How much has the extent of roads and footpaths of Dhaka South City Corporation increased in this financial year?

DSCC Chief Engineer: Through development, beautification and greening every establishment of South City Corporation is being transformed as well as beautifying the restored canal creating an aesthetic environment. An area of 109.10 square kilometers of roads has been brought under this program.

Tribunal: How much money is being spent on the implementation of this project aimed at rescuing 4 canals that are victims of illegal occupation of the capital?

DSCC Chief Engineer: A total of Tk 898 crore 73 lakh has been allocated for restoration and development, beautification and greening of 4 canals. Among them, the government will provide Tk 629 crore 11 lakh and DSCC will provide Tk 269 crore 62 lakh from its own fund.

Tribunal: Dhaka South City Corporation is playing a role in improving the quality of citizen’s life?

DSCC Chief Engineer: Dhaka South City Corporation is increasing its revenue growth rate by improving citizen’s life. Due to this, the revenue income, which was 500 crore taka, now stands at 780 crore taka. Residents of the capital do not suffer any bureaucratic complications to get civic benefits. Every week the meeting held under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Mayor examines whether there is any slowness in the work of the various sections.

Tribunal: How cost effective is RCC casting instead of bitumen?

DSCC Chief Engineer: RCC casting instead of Bitumen is better as Bitumen is erased while it spread at the streets. RCC is always better to make the streets strong and workable.

Tribunal: Are you taking initiatives to stop unplanned digging of WASA, TITAS and BTCL?

DSCC Chief Engineer: It needs co-ordination while unplanned digging of WASA, TITAS and BTC goes on.

Tribunal: How much space for children within the DSCC area has been made available for the establishment of parks, gardens and playgrounds?

DSCC Chief Engineer: TK 100 crore has been allocated to 100 wards of DSCC for the development of each ward. In this sense, as the renovation work will be done, the work of establishing parks, gardens and playgrounds for the purpose of entertainment and physical exercise of children and teenagers will also proceed. Apart from this, Sheikh Russell Park is being built in memory of Shaheed Sheikh Russell.

Tribunal: Are there any plans to build multi-storey parking spaces in densely populated commercial areas?

DSCC Chief Engineer: Construction of multi-storied parking space in densely populated commercial area is progressing. Once the construction of this parking space is completed, some relief will return to the citizens’ life. Traffic congestion will be reduced at its effect.

Tribunal: How much success has there been in managing illegal evictions?

DSCC Chief Engineer: The evacuees are gathering under the umbrella of a powerful evil force not to return by conducting illegal evictions and continue the illegal activities as before. However, the city corporation authorities are determined to continue their operations till they are eradicated.