DNCC, DSCC expand efforts on waterlogging crisis

A coordinated set of short- and long-term interventions is being implemented by Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporations to provide a lasting solution to the capital’s persistent waterlogging problem, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told Parliament today.

Responding to a starred tabled question from Independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana (Brahmanbaria-2) in the Jatiya Sangsad, the minister said the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has identified 108 waterlogging-prone hotspots and is working to resolve them through targeted interventions.

He informed the House that DNCC has deployed 21 Quick Response Teams (QRTs) across its 10 administrative zones. These teams are engaged in continuous cleaning of catchpits, drainage lines, pits and inundated areas, which has helped improve drainage efficiency in several parts of the city.

According to the minister, DNCC completed the construction and upgrading of 110.93 kilometres of roads and 105.89 kilometres of drains during the 2024-25 fiscal year. For the 2025-26 fiscal year, the city corporation plans to further construct and improve 115 kilometres of roads and 120 kilometres of drainage infrastructure.

To maintain natural water flow in canals, 360 sanitation workers have been deployed for routine cleaning activities. In addition, boundaries of 29 canals and one regulating pond have been demarcated, with 1,181 boundary pillars installed to prevent encroachment.

Turning to the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), the minister said rainwater from an area of 109.24 square kilometres is currently discharged through three outlets at Kamalapur TT Para, Dholai Khal and Hatirjheel, which he described as insufficient for the city’s requirements.

To address this limitation, he said proposals have already been submitted to the ministry for constructing two additional drainage outlets.

He also noted that under the World Bank-financed Metro Dhaka Resilience Project, a major new drainage outlet from Gulistan to Sadarghat is planned to improve water discharge capacity.

Furthermore, construction of a box culvert and an eight-foot-diameter large drain is underway to accelerate the flow of water from Shyampur Canal into the Buriganga River.

The minister said DSCC has identified 33 waterlogging-prone hotspots, including New Market, Naeem Road, Green Road, Shantinagar, Mugda Medical, Madrasa Education Board area, Majed Sardar Road and West Malibagh.

To mitigate waterlogging in these areas, cleaning and re-excavation of 22 canals, cleaning of four box culverts, and ward-based drainage cleaning programmes are currently being implemented.

He added that six portable pumps have been installed to ensure rapid removal of rainwater during heavy rainfall events.

Excavation and sustainable development works of four major canals-Kalunagar, Shyampur, Jirani and Manda-are ongoing under the government-funded “Canal Restoration, Rehabilitation and Beautification Project.”

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the government is pursuing an integrated strategy combining infrastructure development, new drainage construction, canal restoration and regular maintenance of the drainage network to deliver a durable solution to Dhaka’s waterlogging crisis.