Residents of parts of Dhaka South are using a new mobile app to report waste and cleanliness-related problems to the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), with the corporation saying most complaints are being addressed within 24 hours.
The DSCC launched the ‘Clean Care’ app in July to make it easier for residents to report problems such as uncollected waste, blocked drains and other cleanliness-related issues.
The corporation has said it aims to resolve complaints within a maximum of 24 hours. The app also allows users to submit complaints, send them to the relevant departments, track the progress of their requests and provide feedback after a problem has been addressed.
Residents of Dinabag Lane 3, at the end of Paterbag Road in South Dhania area of Kadamtali, had been facing difficulties walking along the road because of accumulated rubbish.
Local resident Md Saddam Hossain said he filed a complaint through the app after becoming frustrated with the situation. DSCC workers later arrived and cleaned the area.
Md Tauhidur Rahman Shuvo, a resident of Road 7 near the Munshihati riverbank in Kamrangirchar, said the rubbish piled up in front of his house had created an unbearable smell. “It did not take long after filing the complaint; workers arrived quickly and cleaned everything,” he said.
The app is also being used to report problems with cleanliness infrastructure. In areas such as Dallas Goli, Arambagh and Motijheel, uncovered drains had created safety concerns and made movement difficult, particularly at night.
After Md Sadiq filed a complaint, corporation officials contacted him several times over three days to learn more about the issue. A cover was later installed over the drain.
Roksana Begum, a housewife from Kamrangirchar, said the service had made it easier to seek action on waste-related problems. “Previously, I would not allow my children to go outside after seeing piles of rubbish in front of our house. Now, whenever we make a complaint, workers are sent quickly to clean the area. It is truly a relief,” she said.
Fatema Akter, a resident of Demra, said a particular route in her area had previously become a dumping ground. “We had to travel along this route while covering our noses. Now, it is cleaned regularly,” she said.
How ‘Clean Care’ works
The DSCC’s ‘Clean Care’ app allows residents to report waste and cleanliness-related problems in their areas. Users must first search for ‘DSCC Clean Care’ on the Google Play Store and install the official app of the Dhaka South City Corporation.
When the app is opened for the first time, users are asked to provide their mobile number. An OTP is then sent to the phone, after which an account is created.
Users can report problems such as accumulated rubbish or blocked drains by taking a photo or video through the app. If GPS or location services are enabled, the app can automatically identify the location of the reported problem.
After uploading the image, users can provide a brief description of the problem, such as waste remaining uncollected for several days or an overflowing dustbin. They must then select the relevant ward number and area before submitting the complaint.
Once submitted, the complaint is sent to the cleaning inspector of the relevant zone. Users can track its progress through the “My Complaints” or “History” section.
After the problem has been addressed, the complaint is marked as “Resolved.”
80 per cent of complaints resolved: DSCC
DSCC Chief Waste Management Officer Md Mahbubur Rahman Talukder told TIMES of Bangladesh that the corporation has also introduced a 24-hour monitoring system through social media alongside the app.
He said efforts were underway to raise public awareness about the service. “Around 80 per cent of complaints are being resolved. The remaining complaints are mostly related to WASA, as some matters fall outside our jurisdiction,” he said.
According to the DSCC, only 40 paisa from the monthly Tk100 waste collection fee paid by citizens is spent on this service.
