Development projects for DSCC

The news that a substantial fund has been proposed for more than a dozen development projects under the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) offers a rare moment of cautious optimism. For years, many wards under the DSCC have existed with minimal urban facilities, bearing the consequences of prolonged neglect. Against this backdrop, the proposal now under scrutiny by the Ministry of Planning, signals a long-awaited intent on the part of the authorities to address deep-rooted deficiencies. Ever since DSCC emerged as a separate administrative entity, residents have seen little in the way of meaningful development initiatives aimed at improving everyday urban life. This makes the current proposal both significant and overdue.

According to a report published in this newspaper, the Local Government Division (LGD) under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives has submitted a Tk 9.79 billion project proposal to upgrade 123.53 kilometres of local roads across 18 wards. Of this total allocation, Tk 9.06 billion-approximately 92.53 per cent-has been earmarked for road and drainage development, highlighting the urgent need to address basic infrastructure gaps. The Physical Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission has reviewed the proposal through its Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) and has agreed in principle to recommend it for approval, albeit with several important conditions.

The PEC's observations merit serious attention. The committee noted that the proposal lacks detailed designs, drawings, unit cost analyses and a clear basis for the estimated expenses. Describing the projected costs as relatively high, the PEC has asked the LGD and the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) to provide detailed justifications supported by data to ensure cost efficiency and transparency. It has further recommended the inclusion of a comprehensive project management framework, technical specifications, and clear cost breakdowns for all major components. These concerns underline a familiar but critical issue: while ambition in development planning is necessary, rigour in preparation is indispensable.

Given the dire need, it is imperative that the concerned ministry address these procedural shortcomings without delay. Timely compliance with the Planning Ministry's requirements would allow the project to commence well ahead of the next monsoon season, when poor roads and inadequate drainage routinely worsen waterlogging and disrupt daily life. According to LGED sources, the project aims to improve road connectivity, reduce waterlogging, ease traffic congestion, enhance traffic management and promote safer pedestrian movement-objectives that directly affect the quality of urban living. The scale of the proposed activities is huge --- nearly 360.65 kilometres, or about 60 per cent, of the 602.37 kilometres of roads in the 18 wards are reportedly earthen and in deplorable condition. The figures serve as a stark reminder of how much remains to be done. But while the urgency of development projects cannot be overstated, adherence to established standards and procedures must not be compromised. The responsibility now lies with the LGED and related authorities to do the needful-promptly and prudently-so that this long-awaited initiative becomes a genuine turning point for the residents of Dhaka South.