Fixing problems of Dhaka

There is every reason for those in charge of governance in Bangladesh to be pretty serious about fixing Dhaka's problems. This city is already home to over 15 million people when it was, according to the latest document, planned for living by, let us say, not more than two to four million people. Dhaka's population is expected to soar to 25 million by 2020 and to 35 million by 2030. This capital city could indeed be overwhelmed by its population pressure and hopelessly inadequate utilities and services if the present lackadaisical approach to responding to its problems continues in the much the same manner like now. Dhaka's problems stem mainly from utter lack of planning or enforcing strictly whatever plans are there on the boards. The Detailed Area Plan (DAP) for Dhaka must be fully implemented -- and at the fastest. Every effort should be made to make the plan inclusive of the requirements of the vast number of the poor and underprivileged people living in Dhaka. In this context, it is to be noted that a survey by the Economist, a prestigious London-based weekly, has rated 140 cities round the world to determine how livable or not these seemed to be in the judgment of the surveyors. The capital city of Bangladesh has come out second from the bottom or the second-most unlivable city from the results of the survey. Dhaka's position is 139th while that of Harare is 140th. There is no need to say that there can be no joy in knowing about the Economist survey. It shall certainly not increase Dhaka's attraction internationally. However, some Doubting Thomases will raise questions about the objectivity of the exercise done by the Economist. Indeed, no publication can claim cent percent accuracy about the findings of its survey. It may be recalled here that another survey, conducted by another international magazine only some months ago, commended strongly Bangladesh for its attainments in democracy. But many critics do not agree with this, noting, Bangladesh with its dysfunctional parliament, record of death of individuals while being in custody of police and other law enforcing agencies, violations of some fundamental civil and political rights of citizens, infringements on universal human rights, etc., cannot claim itself to be successful anyway about institutionalising democracy or for improving governance. Meanwhile, the Economist's survey was conducted in six major areas namely stability, health services, education, infrastructures, culture and environment . Under the first head, stability, that vitally includes law and order, political tumults, terrorist activities and related factors, it is not exactly known where Dhaka stands, in terms of the specifics, in a regional perspective. Bangladesh has its share of political troubles but the same are in many cases not so severe as in the case of political violence that are noted in some cities in other regional countries. Likewise, the law and order situation in Dhaka is still to be considered as not that awful, as compared to other cities in the world which got higher ranking in the survey. As for the environment, the situation in Dhaka continues to worsen. Its environmental problems call for urgent actions for redress. But some other cities around the world do neither enjoy conditions far more livable than Dhaka. Yet then, the assessments about the overall situation in Dhaka, as were made in the Economist's survey, must not be brushed aside. Efforts must be made sooner rather than later to tackle the multi-dimensional problems that the residents of Dhaka are faced with. Such actions need to form a synergy to deal with the related problems in areas of stability, health services, education, infrastructures, culture and environment.