Another example of poor planning

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has completed carpeting two kilometres of the eight-lane Loharpul-Hazaribagh Inner Circular Road, while work is progressing on another 2.5-kilometre section.

Meanwhile, the DSCC has completed the design of the eight-lane road from Postogola to Loha Bridge, which is planned for development with an elevated expressway.

However, Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DWASA) now plans to lay a 1,800mm-diameter water pipeline along the Babubazar-Hazaribagh road under the Extended Water Supply Resilience Project.

DWASA wanted to begin the work in September, but the DSCC is refusing to allow excavation of the newly constructed road, citing the substantial wastage of public money that would result.

The DSCC is investing Tk1,014 crore in the road project, while Tk4,440 crore is being invested in the DWASA project.

The development has once again raised questions over the lack of coordination among urban service delivery agencies, which experts say is resulting in the waste of huge amounts of public money every year.

Speaking on the issue, DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam said newly constructed roads built with public money would not be allowed to be excavated again.

He urged DWASA to find an alternative route for laying its proposed water pipeline without damaging the newly constructed road.

The DSCC administrator made the remarks while inspecting the ongoing development work on the Inner Circular Ring Road from Rayerbazar Sluice Gate to Loha Bridge in Kamrangirchar on Monday.

“After enduring immense suffering for two to three years, local people can finally see a new road. But WASA wants to cut the road now to lay a water pipeline nearly six feet in diameter under the Extended Dhaka Water Supply Resilience Project,” he said.

“We have held several meetings and requested them to find an alternative route. I will not allow the road to be excavated again, causing further public suffering and wasting public money,” he added.

The DSCC project includes two kilometres of connecting roads, 10 kilometres of footpaths, 10 kilometres of drains, three vehicular overpasses, three flyovers, eight sluice gates,   six bus bays and six passenger shelters. Construction of two kilometres of retaining walls is also underway, while around 480 electric poles and eight towers are being relocated under the project.

The physical progress of the first phase has reached around 50 per cent, Abdus Salam said.

The second phase will extend the road from Loha Bridge to Postogola. Once completed, buses from 21 districts in southern Bangladesh will be able to travel towards northern Bangladesh through the ring road without entering the central traffic-congested areas of Dhaka.

Commenting on the issue, former president of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners Dr Adil Mohammad Khan said the lack of coordination between the two agencies amounted to a serious planning failure and should be treated as misconduct.

“There are two big investments being made within a close period, but one is affecting the other. We have been hearing about this lack of coordination for a long time. Shall we not be free from this misconduct ever? Shall we continue this way? The government has to think afresh,” he said.

He added, “By-laws require DWASA to submit its plan to the city corporation at the beginning of the year so that the corporation can consider its work.”

Dr Adil also questioned the role of the Planning Commission, saying its responsibility should not be limited to approving projects but should also include proper vetting.

“The Planning Commission’s job is not only passing the projects but also vetting them. 

But I think they are not doing their job sincerely,” he said.