In any construction work, be it public or private, minimisation of hazards and trouble it may cause is a major consideration in standard construction practice globally. However, it will be hard for anyone observing the practice in Bangladesh, particularly the capital city of Dhaka, to believe that authorities concerned give minimum attention to the hazard and trouble. There must be some labour pains of any development work, but their extent in any construction work in Dhaka is unbearable for city dwellers.
With rapid urbanisation and an increasing population in Dhaka, one of the fastest-growing megacities in the world, construction activities have surged dramatically over the years. Development work is unavoidable for economic progress, but the authorities here are indifferent to the problems it causes to residents. The city faces a multitude of construction-related troubles beginning from severe traffic congestion to environmental pollution that affect the city people daily.
Construction activities in Dhaka significantly contribute to the already chaotic traffic situation. Roads are dug up frequently for new projects, leaving major roads congested for extended periods. Poorly planned temporary roadblocks and alternative roads often create bottlenecks, causing severe delays for commuters and businesses. Construction materials such as bricks, sand, and cement are mindlessly stored on roadsides, further narrowing the already limited space available for vehicles and pedestrians
Another issue that adds to the construction-related trouble is the prolonged duration of road and drainage system repairs. Many roads remain under construction for months and even for years in some cases, causing continuous inconvenience to commuters and businesses. Drainage repair projects, intended to prevent waterlogging, often take an excessively long time to complete, worsening the problem rather than solving it. Poor project management, coordination failures among city authorities, and lack of accountability, are mainly responsible for the delay in completion of repair work.
The Dhaka North and South City Corporations, RAJUK, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, and utility service providers often operate independently without proper coordination, resulting in the digging up of even newly constructed roads for utility repairs. After a road is freshly paved, it is not uncommon that it is excavated again within a few weeks for gas, water, or electricity line maintenance. This inefficiency not only contributes to the sufferings of city dwellers, but also leads to waste in resources.
Illegal construction, with many buildings encroaching on public spaces, is another phenomenon that causes significant trouble to the city people. Such construction continues due to corruption and lack of stringent enforcement of regulations by the authorities concerned. Developers often bypass regulations through illegal means, constructing buildings that do not comply with safety standards. Unauthorised structures, built without proper permits or engineering oversight, pose immense risks to residents.
The Dhaka city needs a well-defined urban master plan and its strict enforcement to regulate construction activities and thus minimise the hazards and trouble they inflict on city people. RAJUK and other regulatory bodies must enhance monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to prevent illegal construction and ensure compliance with building codes. A unified approach among government agencies is essential for better infrastructure planning and execution. Ensuring safety at construction sites should always be a top priority. Regular inspections should be conducted to ensure that all safety measures are in place. And developers should be held accountable for violating safety regulations, and penalties for unauthorised construction should be strictly imposed. Unless we take these measures, residents in the capital will be compelled to continue to suffer.
rahmansrdk@gmail.com
© 2025 - All Rights with The Financial Express
