DSCC Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh accused WASA and Titas of clandestinely digging roads without permission from the City Corporation during the rainy season.
He made these remarks during a dialogue titled 'Role of Canal Restoration in Alleviating Dhaka's Waterlogging' at the BIP conference room in the capital on Saturday.
Since taking charge of the city corporations from Dhaka Wasa in 2020, there has been no improvement in the capital's waterlogging issues, despite sporadic light rains and the monsoon season.
The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) had previously notified that no organisation would be permitted to dig roads during the monsoon. Mayor Taposh criticised WASA and Titas for ignoring this directive and proceeding without authorization.
Addressing the long-term restoration of canals, Mayor Taposh stressed the need to curb illegal encroachments on public and private lands to effectively mitigate waterlogging.
He emphasised that eliminating land grabbers, whether public or private, was essential for freeing Dhaka from flooding and ensuring the canals remain unobstructed.Mayor Taposh highlighted challenges in the drainage system, noting that distant instead of nearby outlets in Bangsal slow down water flow, exacerbating waterlogging.
Regarding the Dholai canal, he acknowledged limitations due to box culverts but assured ongoing efforts to enhance its aesthetic appeal while partially restoring its functionality.
Commenting on the Old Buriganga de-occupation, Mayor Taposh described it as a formidable task, asserting his determination to prevent future encroachments for at least the next 50 years.