The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has launched a mobile application titled “Clean Care” to bring waste management under digital surveillance.
Citizens will no longer need to visit city corporation offices to report irregularities in waste collection, overcharging, delays in garbage removal, or the misconduct of waste collectors; instead, they can lodge complaints directly with DSCC through the app.
The app was officially inaugurated by DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam, during a ceremony held at Nagar Bhaban auditorium on Tuesday at 12pm.
The event was attended by Chief Executive Officer Md Zahirul Islam, Chief Waste Management Officer Md Mahabubur Rahman Talukdar, and other departmental officials.
Data-driven accountability
DSCC officials described the app as more than just a complaint platform, calling it an initiative to transform waste management into a data-driven and accountable system.
The data on nature of complaints and service quality in different areas will be analysed to inform future planning and budget allocations.
Talukdar noted that many residents currently do not know where to report waste-related issues, leaving many problems unresolved.
“Through this app, if a complaint is not resolved within the stipulated time, it will automatically come to the attention of our administrator, chief executive officer, and relevant senior officials,” he said, adding that authorities can monitor real-time data on pending and resolved cases.
Upon filing a complaint regarding issues such as overcharging or irregular waste removal, users will receive a notification and can view details of the responsible official. The users can rate the service on a scale of one to five stars after a complaint is settled.
Public participation, global standards
In his speech as the chief guest, Administrator Salam emphasised that technology-dependent services are essential in the modern world.
He noted that developed cities like Seoul, Singapore, and San Francisco treat waste management as part of an information-based administrative system, a trend DSCC aims to join.
“A modern city cannot be built by the efforts of the administration alone,” the administrator remarked. “Without public participation, no initiative will succeed. The responsibility is 50 per cent for the citizens and 50 per cent for the City Corporation”. He also urged journalists to play a role in raising public awareness about the app.
Future expansion
Responding to questions from reporters, the administrator clarified that the app would focus solely on waste management for an initial evaluation period of one to two months. Eventually, other civic services, including mosquito control, road maintenance, drainage, and electricity, will be integrated into the platform.
The firm that developed the app will provide technical support to DSCC’s ICT department for the first six months, after which the corporation’s own team will manage the system. The DSCC retains full ownership of the application.
Addressing city challenges
When asked if DSCC has the capacity to handle an expected surge in complaints, Salam mentioned that visible problems are easier to solve. “If we avoid the problems, they won’t be solved. Now people will complain, the issues will come forward, and we will try to resolve them,” he said.
While acknowledging existing limitations in manpower and equipment, he noted that capacity is being increased in phases.
Addressing long-standing issues like waterlogging and lack of coordination between agencies, he requested at least two years to implement lasting solutions, particularly in the 18 newly added wards which still lack adequate drainage and roads.
Regarding waste accumulation under flyovers, the administrator mentioned that DSCC is planning alternative arrangements and beautification projects, such as gardens, though permanent solutions will take time.
At the conclusion of the event, he urged residents to use “Clean Care” app to help build a cleaner city.
