How long to struggle on the streets of Dhaka

Every time the monsoon season arrives, digging begins on the streets of Dhaka. The residents of the capital have almost accepted this as a fact of life, a twist of fate. Digging in the name of development is inevitable. Sometimes it's for fixing gas pipes, other times for installing water lines, or repairing the sewer system. Many people don't even know when and why the roads are being dug up. It has been observed that the same roads are dug up every year. One side of a perfectly good road is excavated to install some sort of pipe. This scenario is now common in almost every area from Motijheel, Kamalapur, and Tikatuli to Old Dhaka. The construction of the metro rail is ongoing from Motijheel to Kamalapur.On top of that, the incessant digging has made life difficult for the residents of these areas. In the morning, busy office-goers have to navigate a narrow strip of the road, risking their lives. When mothers hold their children's hands and walk them to school, it feels like they are truly heading into a battlefield.

Yesterday, Sunday (June 2), news reports revealed that the same scenario is present in Dakshinkhan, Dhaka. For over six months, the main road in Dakshinkhan has been completely closed to traffic. The reason is that various sections of the road have been dug right down the middle for the construction of a drainage system. The situation is so dire that in some parts of the road, there's no space even for pedestrians to walk. The dug-up sections of the road are filled with dirty water from the drainage system, adding to the misery of the people.

Almost every area in Dhaka is densely populated. In many areas, there is only one road for entering and exiting. If that road becomes impassable, the extent of people's suffering is unimaginable! There are elderly people, patients, and pregnant women in those areas. Does the administration ever consider how they will move around?

These issues are regularly covered in newspapers. In the past three months, almost every media outlet has published reports on this. Yet, the results are zero. The administration remains indifferent. Their argument is that road repairs, drainage works, and other necessary activities require digging. We understand that too. But for how long? When will the residents of Dhaka finally be free from the suffering caused by this incessant digging? These diggings not only disrupt people's daily lives but also cause economic hardship for the public. However, people believe that a few individuals benefit from these activities. When they see the digging, people often curse some unseen entity.

Eid-ul-Adha is approaching, and many areas will host cattle markets. This will further inconvenience the residents of Dhaka. Additionally, the monsoon season is nearing. All in all, the people of Dhaka are dreading the extreme suffering in the coming days. Therefore, we request the administration to complete these digging projects quickly and give the residents of Dhaka some relief.