The Local Government Division has formed two separate committees to accelerate the demarcation and restoration of all canals under the jurisdiction of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
According to an office order issued by City Corporation-1 branch of Local Government Division on 11 June, the decision was reached during an emergency meeting.
The meeting, presided over by Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, focused on adopting coordinated initiatives for canal demarcation, restoration, and the mitigation of waterlogging in the capital.
DNCC committee formation
A 12-member committee has been constituted for DNCC, with chief engineer serving as its convenor. The committee includes regional executive officer of the concerned zone, additional chief engineer, executive engineer, zonal settlement officer (Dhaka), and additional deputy commissioner (Revenue) of Dhaka.
The committee features representatives from Construction Supervision Consultant (CSC), Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Dhaka WASA, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), and Roads and Highways Department (RHD).
DSCC committee formation
Similarly, an 11-member committee has been formed for DSCC, led by chief engineer as convenor. Members include the regional executive officer, additional chief engineer, executive engineer, zonal settlement officer (Dhaka), and additional deputy commissioner (Revenue) of Dhaka.
The body also comprises representatives from CSC, DMP, Dhaka WASA, BWDB, and RHD.
Terms of reference
Under the defined scope of work, the committees must identify and demarcate all canals within their respective city corporation areas on a priority basis.
A detailed report must be submitted to Local Government Division within next three months. The committees are authorised to consult with the respective city corporation administrators and may co-opt additional members as required.
The Local Government Division anticipates that this initiative will lead to the effective determination of actual canal boundaries, the removal of illegal encroachments, and the successful restoration of the drainage system to resolve waterlogging issues.
