Editorial
Road digging woes
Why not in dry season?
Digging of roads by Dhaka Wasa to lay underground pipes is nothing new, or for that matter any other utility organization doing it. Dhaka Wasa undertakes development projects for the benefit of the people. But the problem is with the timing of the excavation work and its tardy nature.
This paper carried an eye-opening report on laying of storm water drainage pipe in a locality of Mohammadpur in the city yesterday. The story is typical of the usual state of affairs with utility expansion activities in all major cities, contributing to untold sufferings of the people. The project in question was supposed to start in January this year but due to delay in issuing the work order it got underway in April and would continue for another three months.
Tender call, bidding process and issuance of work orders take at least four to five months, the work in the ground takes another five to six months to be completed, which however should not take more than three months. Development projects, such as these, meant for the benefit of the people are avoidable ordeals.
Dhaka Wasa ends up undertaking pipe laying works during the monsoon all due to man made factors. The dug out roads become huge drains where rain water accumulates causing hindrance to work and danger to the movement of pedestrians and vehicles. Heavy rains wash away earth at the site of the digging and affect the buildings. Safety measures like supporting earth by wooden plank is not enough. Moreover, after work is completed the earth remains heaped on the sides, for weeks and months, which were to have been put back to fill the drain.
Entire process of the work from tendering to appropriate finishing has to be managed by a unified single body. Paper work should be conducted in the most professional manner within a reasonable time and the project awarded to the best bidder. The road digging, pipe laying and filling up should be done preferably by the same party. Above all, development projects ought to be taken up only during dry seasons.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments