There is no alternative to the implementation of the Dhaka Integrated Flood Control Embankment-Eastern Bypass Road Multipurpose Project to free the capital from the perennial problem of waterlogging, say experts.
They opined that the construction of the Eastern Bypass Road will make the whole Eastern Dhaka free from flood and waterlogging and will reduce traffic congestion in the main city.
But, unfortunately, even after a lot of discussions, meetings, seminars for 20 years, the project has not yet been implemented. The Water Development Board could not yetsubmit the project proposal to the Planning Commission. However, it has only sent a proposal to the Ministry of Water Resources for acquiring land.
The Water Development Board is working with a target to send the project proposal for the Dhaka Circular Road cum Eastern Bypass to the ministry in September or October. Under this project, 24.85 km of dams and roads will be constructed. This will benefit an area of about 124 sq km.
Upstream water and monsoon rains are making the situation critical in the north and northeast of the country. Houses and roads have been overflooded. Various international organisations have predicted that the average rainfall may gradually increase as the flood situation continues to worsen throughout South Asia. Most of the roads and alleys of the capital city were submerged byrain water during the last few days. Water still remains stagnant in some areas. The water of Dhaka used to flow through canals, drains and box-culverts to the river. But this is not possible now. The water of the rivers surrounding Dhaka is flowing above danger level. As a result, the river water is entering Dhaka and the crisis compounds as sluice gates have been opened.
According to experts, the current infrastructures of Dhaka city have the capacities to drain out only 40 mm of rainwater per day. But, in a few days, on an average 60 mm of rain fall occurred in Dhaka submerging the roads of the capital. Besides, the water level of Balu, Turag, Buriganga and Shitalakshya rivers has risen. As a result, Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has closed the sluicegates and kept the pump running.
Experts believe that unless the water of the Balu and Turag rivers is not blocked by dams, it will be difficult to solve the problem caused by floods and waterlogging.
AKM Saiful Islam, a Professor of Water and Flood Management of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), said, "River water cannot enter the Western side of Dhaka as a dam has been constructed in that part. But no such dam has yet been constructed in the Eastern part, which is a must to keep the capital protected from floods. It is important to build the Eastern Bypass cum dam. At the same time, all the canals should have to be connected to the rivers to solve the waterlogging problem.”
According to the Water Development Board, the proposed Eastern Bypass Road and Dam will start from Abdullahpur end near Tongi Bridge along the banks of the Turag River. Because, the western bypass road has started from its western end. Starting fromAbdullahpur, crossing the Balu, the Eastern Bypass Road and the dam will pass through Madani Avenue and terminate at the Sultana Kamal Bridge in Demra.
If the project is implemented, river water will not be able to enter Dhaka during the monsoon. At the same time, even if water level of the river rises, the water in Dhaka city will be discharged into the river through three pump stations. This will bring about a permanent solution to the waterlogging in capital city. Besides, unbearable traffic congestions will be reduced. Vehicles from outside will be able to ply different destinations without entering the main city.
Project Director, Engineer Saidul Islam of the Water Development Board, said, “The cost of the project has been estimated at Tk 20,744 crore. However, the project cost may increase further due to land price hike.”
He also said consultants have been appointed to estimate the price of land.
According to the Water Development official sources, around Tk 18,000 crore might cost to acquire land and rehabilitate the victims. When the project was first planned in 1999, the potential cost was estimated at Tk 2,476 crore. The government has decided to implement the project from its own funds as donor agencies did not show interest to finance the project. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has worked on the feasibility study of the project. Butit did not lend money due to complexity of financing conditions. As a result, work on the project has not started yet, even though almost 20 years have elapsed.