Corruption, bad planning, lack of coordination cause waterlogging in Dhaka

Architect and urban planner Iqbal Habib on Saturday said political rivalry, mutual distrust, corruption, bad planning and the absence of coordination among government agencies are the main reasons behind Dhaka's recurring waterlogging. He stressed that the capital needs a unified urban governance system to address the problem effectively.

Unified governance in capital can solve recurring problem, suggests Urban Planner Iqbal Habib

He made the remarks while presenting the keynote paper at a seminar titled "Dhaka is Sinking Due to Uncoordinated Mismanagement, Not Rain" at the National Press Club. The programme was organised by the Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA).

The seminar was chaired by BAPA President Prof Nur Mohammad Talukder and moderated by its General Secretary Alamgir Kabir. Officials, urban planners, engineers and environmental activists also attended the programme.

Habib said that waterlogging during the monsoon is not simply the result of heavy rainfall but a consequence of years of poor planning and institutional failure. Restoring the city's natural drainage system is essential to reducing the problem.

The architect also urged the Planning Commission, city corporations, RAJUK, the Water Development Board, BIWTA and professional organisations, including the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) and the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) to jointly prepare an integrated urban management plan with active public participation. 

"So many agencies are involved in urban management, but the key question is who will coordinate them," he said.

He noted that there is no need to create new institutions. Instead, existing agencies should work together under an integrated framework with clear accountability. No single organisation can solve Dhaka's waterlogging crisis on its own.

"The three key messages are clear�"coordination is essential, partnership is indispensable and citizen participation must be ensured," he said.