The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has taken over the maintenance charge of drainage system from Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) and vested the authority in two Dhaka city corporations, citing the reason that the Wasa had failed to properly take care of the canals. The maintenance responsibility of the canals had been lying with the Wasa for years though they are owned by the office of the Dhaka deputy commissioner. So, the responsibility should be vested in public representatives as they are well informed of the people’s needs,” the LGRD minister said. Earlier, calling the Wasa a failed organisation, Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Mohammad Sayeed Khokon slammed its authorities for their failure to address the problem. The government in September 2008 approved a project titled “Dhaka Water Supply and Sanitation Project” in a bid to reclaim the canals.

Source: Dhaka Tribune July 16, 2017 18:11 UTC