Roads under Dhaka's North and South City Corporations are rapidly deteriorating, disrupting traffic and posing safety hazards for commuters. Years of neglect, unplanned excavation, unfinished construction, and recurring waterlogging have left major roads and residential lanes riddled with potholes and broken surfaces.
In key areas such as Uttara, Gulshan Lake Drive, Mirpur, Rampura, Hatirjheel, and Old Dhaka, some stretches have become nearly impassable--particularly during the monsoon, when rainwater conceals deep holes. Residents say roads in places like Kamarpara in Uttara and Sheorapara in Mirpur have remained in poor condition for more than a year with little to no repair work.
According to Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), its road network spans about 1,340 kilometres, of which roughly 340 kilometres-- around 25 per cent-- need urgent repairs. Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) oversees 1,656 kilometres of roads, with more than 100 kilometres considered severely damaged.
* DNCC: 340 km (25%) of 1,340 km of roads need urgent repair
* DSCC: Over 100 km of 1,656 km of roads are damaged
Despite DNCC spending Tk 378 crore in last fiscal year on roads, drains, and sidewalks--including Tk 338 crore on special development projects--the visible deterioration frustrates residents. Potholes, broken pavements, and exposed iron rods make driving dangerous and worsen traffic congestion on both residential streets and main thoroughfares.
The Gulshan Lake Drive road now has multiple large potholes and raised asphalt sections that slow traffic to a crawl and increase accident risks.
In Uttara, Jasim Uddin Road and Khilkhet Railgate-Dumni Road are marred by ditches and holes. Rampura and Hatirjheel continue to suffer from persistent waterlogging, creating daily rush-hour bottlenecks.
Side streets are often in even worse condition. In Mirpur's Senpara-Parbata, some roads have broken down entirely, forcing pedestrians and rickshaw passengers through dust and mud. In Old Dhaka, missing manhole covers--often marked only with strips of red cloth --pose serious safety threats.
City officials blame monsoon flooding, heavy vehicle traffic, and poor-quality repairs. DNCC Executive Engineer Nurul Alam said a Tk 19 crore project to repair Gulshan Lake Drive will begin after the monsoon, with completion targeted for March-April. DNCC Superintendent Engineer Faruk Hasan Md. Al Masud added that Tk 690 crore has been allocated for development this fiscal year, alongside Tk 990 crore for special road, sidewalk, and sewerage projects.
DSCC Additional Chief Engineer Kazi Md. Borhan Uddin said minor repairs are ongoing, while major works will start after September. DSCC Chief Engineer Md. Zahirul Islam insisted efforts are underway to speed up maintenance despite recurring flood damage.
Residents, however, accuse authorities of lacking proper planning and coordination, especially after the removal of elected mayors and councillors. They point to haphazard development and poor quality control, with small roads and lanes often going uninspected.
DNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz has urged citizens to report damaged roads so repair teams can respond quickly. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police, meanwhile, issued a directive in March requiring prior permission for any road excavation to limit traffic disruption and warned of legal action against unauthorised work.
As road conditions worsen across the capital, residents are calling on city authorities to prioritise comprehensive repairs and infrastructure upgrades to restore safe, reliable travel in Dhaka's fast-growing urban sprawl.
