The drain that cannot drain away rain water

FE Team | Published: May 16, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

FE Report
Constructed on the east of the Journalists' Housing along the Kalshi Road (Avenue number-1), a major surface drain has become a serious problem for thousands of residents of Sections 10, 11 and 12 of Mirpur. The major part of the newly-constructed Kalshi Road and its adjoining areas, including the Journalists' Housing, goes under knee-to-waist deep water in the event of a downpour for 15 to 20 minutes since the drain is silted up and has been left half-done.
All the household waste and rain waters carried by smaller surface drains in Sections 10, 11 and 12 flows into this large drain the one end of which has been blocked by scores of unauthorized construction.
The drain which is supposed to carry waste and rain waters to nearby Shaheen Lake (Bhasantek Beel) has two parts. The pucca part is nearly 500 metres long, 10 feet wide and 10 feet deep and the kutcha part having shallow depth, at many points, is only two to three feet wide near Sabuj Bangla Residential area. Some people have constructed multi-storied buildings on the pathway of this important drain.
Following rains measuring only 20mm during yesterday afternoon, major roads and houses in areas mentioned above went under knee to waist deep water. Hundreds of motor vehicles remained stuck up for hours in a long tailback caused by the inundation of the Kalshi Road and its adjoining feeder roads. The rainy season is yet to come. Indication is that the water-logging problem would be far more serious this year than that of the past.
The local residents had met the local lawmaker on a number of occasions seeking his help in bringing an end to the problem of water logging during the rainy season. The Journalists Housing too had given in writing to the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and the Dhaka WASA highlighting the problem. But there was no response from either of these two organizations.
Local residents said the drain needs immediate removal of slits and other wastes from its pucca part and thorough cleaning of the kutcha part. Besides, the local residents talking to the FE Friday said they expect expeditious actions on the part of the newly elected Mayor of the DNCC, Mr. Annisul Haque, to find a permanent solution to the problem of water-logging in their areas.
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