Dhaka city corporations take charge of 26 canals from Wasa

The two city corporations of Dhaka today officially took charge from Wasa to maintain 26 canals and 10km box culverts with the hope to reduce the city's long-standing waterlogging issue.

Chief Executive Officer of Dhaka South City Corporation ABM Amin Ullah Nuri, Chief Executive Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation Md Selim Reza and Managing Director of Wasa Taqsem A Khan signed in the MOUs from their respective sides at Intercontinental Hotel.

Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Dwasa) had been maintaining 26 canals (84.5 km long), 385 km storm water drains, and 10 box culverts (around 10 km) since 1988.

Two city corporations now maintain and manage 2,200 km pipe drains and surface drains.

From today, the city corporations will take all the responsibilities for resolving waterlogging problems and they will have to do the work taking help from other agencies and residents of Dhaka city, said LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam.

He said they held meeting on the issue and formed a technical committee last month.

Following the recommendations of the committee and with the approval of the Prime Minister, Wasa is handing over the canals and drainage system along with necessary manpower, equipment, technical know-how to the two city corporations.

The mayors of Dhaka city also spoke at the programme.