Resolve suffering of waterlogged people in DND embankment area

If there is a bit rain, there creates waterlogging inside the Dhaka-Narayanganj-Demra (DND) embankment area. In normal rain, severe waterlogging is created in most areas of the DND embankment.  If there is a heavy rain, people are to face immense suffering. People in DND embankment area have been suffering from severe waterlogging for years. The area goes under water almost every monsoon, pushing the residents towards untold sufferings as rains turn into sorrow for them. At the beginning of rainy season this year, lakhs of people are suffering from waterlogging and passing their days with untold sufferings.

According to the news published in media, many buildings, roads, school-colleges, madrasas and factories in the area have been submerged below one and a half feet below water, causing immense sufferings to the residents.  Besides, the toxic waste of the industries and factories makes daily life more difficult. Due to waterlogging, residents are suffering from many kinds of water-borne diseases. There is also mosquito menace.

In the mid of 1960s, the DND embankment was implemented. The main objective of this project was to create flood-free area of 57 square kilometers and to produce crops through canal irrigation project. But after the 80s, there has been a rapid change in this area, and the irrigation project turned into residential, commercial and industrial plots. Various industrial units including small-scale industries, brick kilns and garment factories were set up. As a result, unplanned settlement, roads, factories, educational institutions, etc are now creating a lot of problems in the area.

At once there were several canals including the Konso river in the DND embankment area. The canals were used as irrigation project. The Konso river and other canals have already been encroached and piled up with garbage. Due to over pollution, many canals have disappeared. That is why due to rain or during the rainy season the waterlogging is created. It is important to end this situation.

As far as it is known, a project was approved in the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) last year to resolve waterlogging in DND embankment area.  After the start of the project, the waterlogging will reduce in a year and total problem will be resolved after the completion of the project work after three years. But a year almost has gone but the project has not started yet.

The sufferings of lakhs of residents in DND area are now a common matter. It is necessary to take an urgent action to find a solution to the problem. As well as improving the drainage system, the canals to be retrieved. We expect that authorities will take steps to reduce the sufferings of DND embankment area.



risingbd / Dhaka / August 8, 2017 / Ali Nowsher/Mukul