UNIVERSITY OF DHAKA

An Assignment on

Nature and Characteristic of Man-made Disaster in

Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Program : MS in Disaster Management

Course Title : Introduction to Natural Hazard and Disaster

Management

Course Code : 5111

Submitted to : Dr. AQM Mahbub

Professor
Department of Geography and Environment
University of Dhaka

Submitted by : Misuk Kumer Datta

Class roll : 524

Date of Submission : 30.03.2013

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 Contents

Title Page Number

INTRODUCTION Page | 2

OBJECTIVE Page | 4

MANMADE DISASTER IN DHAKA CITY Page | 5

NATURE AND CHARACTERISTIC OF MANMADE DISASTER IN DHAKA CITY Page | 6

WATER LOGGING Page | 6

URBAN FIRE Page | 8

RIVER POLLUTION Page | 11

GROUNDWATER DEPLETION Page | 12

AIR POLLUTION Page | 14

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT Page | 16

TRAFFIC CONGESTION Page | 17

RECOMMENDATION Page | 20

CONCLUSION Page | 22

REFERENCE Page | 23

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Introduction
The Bangladesh is low laying alluvial deltaic plan lies between 20034' and 26038' North
Latitude and 88001' and 92041' East Longitude with a total landmass of 1,47,570 square
kilometers (56,977 Sq. miles). Bangladesh is surrounded by India on the West, North and
Northeast, Myanmar on the Southeast and the Bay of Bengal on the South. The countries
unique geographic location, with the Bay of Bengal to the south, the Himalayas to the North
and the prevailing monsoons, has made it one of the wettest countries of the world. The
mean annual rainfall is about 2320mm, but there are places with a mean annual rainfall of
6000mm or more (Hossain et al., 1987). The country is formed by the fluvial process of three
major river systems namely the Ganges, the Bramhaputra and the Meghna. More than 220
rivers crisscrossed the country and make it reiverine. Total number of 57 rivers including
GBM is known as Transboundary river. Bangladesh is based on Agriculture mainly, with two
thirds of the population engaged directly and indirectly on Agricultural activities; although
the country is trying move towards industrialization slowly during the last one and a half
decade almost.
Due to its geographical location the country is more vulnerable in natural disaster. The
country is experiencing different type of natural disaster in every year. Among the entire
natural disaster cyclone, tornado, storm surge, drought and flood are mentionable. The
country is also vulnerable in manmade hazard like fire, water logging, groundwater
depletion, river pollution, air pollution, environmental degradation, solid waste disposal and
traffic congestion etc. In every year disaster causes widespread human, material or
environmental losses which increase poverty of the country. A study represent that poor
are more vulnerable in a natural disaster and poor become poorer due to effect of a
disaster.
Dhaka formerly spelled Dacca is the capital of the Bangladesh. It is a megacity and one of
the major cities of South Asia. It is located on the banks of the river Buriganga and lies
between 23053’ and 24006’ north latitudes and between 90001' and 90037' east longitudes.
Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, has an estimated population of over 12 million in
2008, making it the largest city in Bangladesh. It is

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the 9th largest city in the world and also 28th among the most densely populated cities in

Figure: Dhaka City Map

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the world. It is predicted that the population
of Dhaka city would reach 22 million in 2015
(Islam, 2001), when it will become the second
most populous city in Asia. Internal migration
has caused a surge in residential demand in
Dhaka city. Due to rapid urbanization process,
the city is emerging as a mega-city and this
trend generates numerous economic and Photo: Dhaka in 1908
social externalities and social cost such as
deterioration of environmental quality, increased
pollution and congestion. Dhaka city is beset with
a number of socio-environmental problems.
Water logging, traffic congestion, solid waste
disposal, black smoke from vehicular and
industrial emissions, air and noise pollution,
pollution of water bodies by industrial discharge,
Photo: Dhaka in 2013 (Panthapath)
all these are the regular problem of the city.

Objective

Objectives of this assignment are:

Find out different type of manmade disaster in Dhaka city.

Find out causes of different types of manmade disaster.

Describe nature and effect of manmade disaster on city dweller.

Describe effect of manmade disaster on country economy.

Recommending mitigation measure for reducing effect of manmade disaster.

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Manmade Disaster in Dhaka City:
A natural hazard has an element of human
involvement. A physical event, such as a
flood, that does not affect human beings is
a natural phenomenon but not a natural
hazard. A natural phenomenon that occurs Manmade Hazard
in a populated area is a hazardous event. A
hazardous event that causes unacceptably
large numbers of fatalities and/or overwhelming property damage is a natural disaster. In
areas where there are no human interests, natural phenomena do not constitute hazards
nor do they result in disasters. Human intervention can increase the frequency and severity
of natural hazards. Hazard is two types one is Human-made hazards (also called
anthropogenic hazards) are distinguishable from environmental hazards by the direct level
of human involvement in their causation. Another one hazard is Environmental or Natural
Hazards/Disasters generally refers to geophysical events such as earthquakes, volcanoes,
drought, flooding, cyclone, lightening etc.

Due to rapid urbanization process and huge population the Dhaka city is generating
numerous economic and social externalities and social cost such as deterioration of
environmental quality, increased pollution and congestion. Unplanned settlements are
causing manmade disaster. Unplanned settlement is also causing fire hazard. In every year
fire damage our life and property. People are filling low land illegally which reduced natural
reservoir and causing water logging. On the other hand unplanned way of solid waste
management is a reason for air pollution. Solid waste is also contributing in river pollution.
Disposal of untreated waste from different industry is also contributing in river pollution as
well as environmental degradation. In a planned city it is necessary to reserved 25% space
for road but the Dhaka has only 5-6% space which causing traffic congestion. The Dhaka city
is experiencing different types of manmade disaster. Among entire manmade disaster water
logging, urban fire, river pollution, ground water depletion, air pollution, solid waste
management, building collapse and traffic congestion are mentionable.

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Nature and Characteristic of Manmade Disaster in Dhaka City:
Water logging:

The Dhaka, capital city

of Bangladesh has
become one of the
populous Mega City in
the world, in recent
years facing extensive
water logging during
the monsoon (May to
October). Unplanned
spatial development Photo: Water logging in Mirpur area (Source: news.priyo.com 19.06.12)

activities and growth of habitation due to rapid population growth are causing
encroachment on retention areas and natural drainage paths with little or no care of natural
drainage system. Excessive rainfall, inadequate drainage sections, conventional drainage
system with low capacity and gravity, natural siltation, absence of inlets and outlets,
indefinite drainage outlets, lack of proper maintenance of existing drainage system, and
over and above disposal of solid waste into the drains and drainage paths are accounted for
the prime causes of blockage in drainage system and water logging. In addition, seasonal
tidal effect and the
topography of the
city area also
causing water
logging.

Photo: Water logging in Chankharpul area (Source: Daily New Age 09.08.12)

Photo: Water logging in Chankharpul area (Source: news.priyo.com 20.08.12)

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• Reason behind water logging:

In the eve of urbanization of the Dhaka city, storm water is drain out on the river through
different canal. The city has many canals which was interlink with each other and also has
navigability. The mentionable canal of the Dhaka city was Dhanmondi lake, Ramna lake,
Crescent lake, Gulshan lake, Dholaikhal khal, Gerani khal, Segunbagicha khal, Panthapath
khal, Begunbari khal, Ramchandrapur khal, Katasur khal, Kallyanpur khal, Rupnagar khal and
many other branches of above canal. The DWASA and DCC were unwisely filling
segunbagicha, Panthapath and Dholaikhal respectively by covered box culvert. Due to
construction fault, it is difficult to properly cleaning of these box culverts. As a result huge
sediment is deposited in culvert bed and causes water logging in vast area of Motijheel,
Ramna, Dhanmondi and Sutrapur thana jurisdiction. Others khal are illegally filled by land
grabber in partly or entirely and reducing natural flow, resulting water logging in vast area.

Inefficient waste management is another reason for water logging. Polythene and others
floating materials are making
obstruction in catch pits and enter into
storm sewer line, which causing
block in sewer as a result water
logging in surface. On the other hand
polythene and floating materials are
also deposited on peripheral
rivers of the city and causing river
pollution. The Dhaka city drainage Photo: Floating materials are blocking drainage line
systems are construction and maintenance by
different organization of Dhaka City Corporation
(DCC) and Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage
Authority (DWASA). According to Drainage Act of
the Dhaka city the DCC is responsible for
construction and maintenance of tertiary drainage
line and DWASA is responsible for construction and
maintenance of primary and secondary drainage
Photo: Tertiary drainage line of DCC

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line. From tertiary drainage line storm sewage enters into secondary line then primary line
and finally river. But it is find out that in many cases the DCC is not maintaining proper level
for constructing drainage line. So tertiary lines are filled by sediment after few years and
storm water cannot enter in secondary line causing water logging in vast area. Lack of
coordination of DCC and DWASA is another reason for water logging.

Urban Fire:

Occurrence of fire incidences is a common phenomenon in Dhaka city, particularly in dry

season. Fire break out in slums, garment factories and small manufacturing industries are
regular news item during the season. Fire break outs cause loss of numerous lives and
valuable properties in the city. With the increase of industrial establishments, mainly small
industries, the number of fire incidences is increasing rapidly. Dhaka City has been
experiencing high rate of urbanization since the last few decades. The development trend of
Dhaka is deliberately shifting vertical direction to cope with the extensive population
pressure. Nowadays, high rise buildings are being constructed in every parts of the city but
in most cases the dwellings are being constructed without maintaining the planning rules
and regulations. Fire hazard vulnerability of Dhaka City dwellers has been increased due to
reckless building construction and non-conformation of Fire Protection Act, 2003. Dhaka
City has been experiencing many fire accidents at present and in most cases lack of proper
precautionary measures along with the institutional inefficiency, insufficient equipment
support and lack of public awareness are causing this situation more complex. Existing
planning rules and laws are also insufficient to the present context of Dhaka City. As most of
the dwellers do not know how to use the fire fighting equipments, in most cases all the
precautionary measures for combating fire generally go into vein. Therefore, institutional
reform, strengthening of capacity at individual and institutional level is needed in order to
reduce fire hazard risks of Dhaka City.

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• Reason behind Urban Fire:

Soon after the liberation war, Dhaka City faced a rapid boom of urbanization. The city not
only expanded in terms of physical dimension but also population and structural density
increased very rapidly. Dhaka, the most densely populated city in the world with a
population of about 15 million in an area of 1528 sq km, is one of the vulnerable places
where fire outbreaks are very common. The development trend of the city took place in a
haphazard and unplanned manner with little or no attention to the issue of land use and
structural planning which leads to increase occurrence of fire hazard nowadays. Increase in
population has a subsequent linkage with more frequent urban conflagrations. Although
other forms of hazards, like cyclone and floods, have overshadowed threat from fire hazard,
fires do cause considerable damages of the country. Official records from the BFSCDA show
that the number of fire incidents in the Dhaka metropolitan: 2006 (1220 times), 2007
(1100), 2008 (1110), 2009 (1775), 2010 (2068) and 2011 up to March (638). There are many
minor incidences which are not reported (BFSCD, 2008).

In Old Dhaka, there is not a single building

available with fire fighting equipments.
Almost 60% of the buildings have no
planning permission from RAJUK and neither
any permission of fire safety and about 92%
of the buildings located beside the minor
roads have no fire license. The buildings of
Shakahari Bazar, Boxibazar, Chawak Bazar Photo: Fire incidence in Nimtali, Dhaka
have found intermixing of uses as the ground floor is using for the storage of various
materials or shopping and the upper floors are for living. In most cases, in the ground floor,
flammable materials like clothing, fiber, plastic equipments are found to be conserved. The
electric wiring and gas connections in the residential buildings of Old Dhaka are in great
threat for the occurrence of fire accidents in any time.

On the other hand in new Dhaka, the apartment dwellers are unconscious regarding the
standard of electric equipments used in the building. Many building have fire fighting
equipments, but the dwellers are not aware about the use of those equipments. Many

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people have no mental preparedness and
precaution against any fire incidence. Almost 95%
people do not know how to use fire extinguisher
and other fire fighting equipments. In slum area
main reason of fire hazard is electric short circuit,
electric or gas or traditional stove and smoking.
Slum area is more vulnerable in fire hazard due to
high density of people.

The main reason of fire hazard is lack of awareness

Photo: Fire incidence at Basundhara shopping
of the people. The Bashundhara shopping mall is a modern building in the Dhaka and well
equipped with fire fighting system but due to lack of operational knowledge of firefighting
equipment the building is highly damage by fire. In old Dhaka area road are very narrow and
have not source of huge amount
of water so fire service team
cannot work properly causing
widespread damage. In slum
area population density is higher
than other area. All the slum
dweller is low payee and has not
proper knowledge about fire
safety. So they cannot take
Photo: Fire incidence in Agargaon Slum on 20.02.13
safety measure and seriously affected by fire.

The RAJUK and BFSCD have few numbers of personnel for monitoring building construction
work so, they cannot monitor construction work properly consequently people are violating
firefighting rule.

Only public awareness can avoid many incidences of fire destruction and loss of lives.
Electric short circuit and spread of fire from the burner are the major causes for fire hazards
in Dhaka City. Lack of maintenance of the equipments for a long time generally causes the
electric short circuit. Awareness at the individual public level could prevent the occurrence
of such fire incidence.

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River Pollution:

The river Turag, Balu and Shitalakhya are situated in the periphery of Dhaka City. At present
these are the most polluted rivers in Bangladesh. Dhaka City is very densely populated and
will be one of the ten “Mega Cities” in the near future. The amount of untreated wastes,
both domestic and industrial, being released into the rivers is tremendous and is increasing
day by day causing river pollution.

• Reason behind river pollution:

Photo: Waste is disposing to the river Buriganga by DWASA (Source Dhaka Mirror11.01.10)
Main reason of the river pollution is indiscriminate disposal of untreated industrial effluents,
municipal and domestic waste and sewage to the river. Another reason of the river pollution
is the DWASA have not any storm sewage treatment plant. The authority is disposing storm
sewage to the river without treatment. On the other hand only 30% of the Dhaka city area
has sewerage coverage. Many people live in without sewerage coverage areas are not made
septic tank during building construction. They dispose sanitary sewage directly in storm
sewage line and ultimately this sewage is deposited in river which is a major cause of river
pollution. More than 300 outfalls are found which disposing industrial and domestic waste
water directly to the river without
treatment. Poor people made slum on
the canal and depositing solid and liquid
waste directly to the canal as well as
river.

Unabated pollution, encroachment and

fill up of canals, lakes, water bodies and
nd
Photo: Chemical jar are washing in river near Buriganga 2 Bridge

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wetlands by the land grabbers and industries are
also responsible for river pollution. In Mitford
area chemical seller are washed empty chemical
drum in the river Buriganga. Water bound
vehicle is disposing burn oil in the river which
adding a feather on river pollution.

Photo: Slum on canal

Ground Water Depletion:

Access to water is a basic human
right and it is a crosscutting issue
for sustainable development.
Water resources have unlimited
importance including human
survival, socio-economic stability
and environmental sustainability.
“Water is right or economic good” Figure: Groundwater hydrograph of seven observation wells of Dhaka city from
1986 to 2005 (Source: Science Alert)
has been a matter of discourse since industrial revolution in the Eighteenth century. Dhaka
city dwellers, following an unsystematic urban sprawl, are deprived of basic urban amenities
where water supply has appeared as the most critical issue. Water supply of Dhaka city is
heavily dependent on groundwater extraction where more than 87 percent of the supplied
water is being extracted from this source. Such extensive dependency enhances a very high
depletion rate of groundwater table. Dhaka city has been experiencing a sharp declination in
groundwater table with more than 20 meters lower down during the last seven years at a
rate of 2.81 meter per year (m/y) (Baten, A.M. etal. 2011). Considering the existing
depletion rate, the study predicts that the groundwater table will go down to 120 meters by
2050. A study shows that the potential groundwater recharge of Dhaka city is only 1.33 m/y
in contrast to 2.81 m/y of groundwater depletion rate. Such finding implies that despite
sufficient amount of rainfall, Dhaka city is experiencing 1.48 m/y groundwater recharge

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deficit every year. Moreover, increased rate of urbanization, illegal occupation, and
encroachment reduce the amount and volume of surface water bodies around the city that
deteriorate the present situation.

• Reason behind Ground Water Depletion:

According to the official, total water

demand of the Dhaka city is 2250 MLD and
the DWASA can meet up 2110 MLD against
the city’s total demand. It has been
mentioned earlier that, DWASA supply is
only 13% from surface water and rest 87%
of water extracting from underground
through about 600 nos deep tube well.
Compared to the exploitation of
groundwater, recharge to aquifer is very
negligible as the geological settings and
urbanization has retarded both the vertical
and horizontal recharges. Consequently,
groundwater table is continuously
declining at an average rate of 2 m/year
since, 1986. Continuous groundwater
mining has caused the dry season water table to move downward from -54 to -45 m depth
from the mean sea level. The severe decline of groundwater level was observed in the
central part of the city, compare to the river periphery, creating a cone of depression. If this
falling trend of the groundwater level continues that might create an increased pressure on
water storage and may invite land subsidence or other environmental hazards.
Now a day’s it is common practice to cover ground surface by concrete or clay tiles, which
reduce scope of infiltration. U-shape RCC channel has been constructed by DWASA on the
different canal. It also reduces scope of infiltration of canal water to ground. This RCC
channel might be being catastrophic effect on ground water recharge and water logging
removal as like covered box culvert.

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So, the aquifer requires sustainable management to protect future water quality and to
ensure that the resource can continue to meet the quantitative demands being placed upon
it.

Air Pollution:
Air pollution is one of the major
environmental problems now days,
especially for developing countries
such as Bangladesh and Brickfields
have been identified as a vital
pollutant source of the major cities of
the country. Verification of the
applicability of an effective air quality
model in Bangladesh condition,
especially for brickfield pollution was Photo: A Brick field at Aminbazar, Savar, Dhaka

the main concern of this work.

• Reason Behind Air Pollution:

Air pollution is one of the major manmade

environmental problems that have recently
gained importance among environmental
issues in Bangladesh. Exposure to air
pollution is the main environmental threat
to human health in towns and cities.
Numerous brick-making kilns operating in
the dry season are one of the major sources
of air pollution in cities. Air quality of Dhaka
city is severely affected by the pollutants from hundreds of brickfields located at the entry
points into the Dhaka city: Amin Bazar, Keraniganj, Fatulla, Pagla, Tongi, Ashulia. These kilns
produce bricks using an old conventional process. Every year more than 20 lakh metric tons

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of low quality coal and 20 lakh metric tons of wood are burnt in these brick fields along with
tires and rubber. Only few fields use natural gas where it is available. The pollution is caused
by the poor quality of fuel, improper design of chimneys and combustion chamber.
Pollutants such as oxides of carbon, sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, volatile organic
compounds and particulates are produced from the brickfields. Moreover even under well-
controlled processes worldwide, 0.2 microgram toxic equivalents of dioxins and furans are
emitted as byproduct into the air during the production of each ton of brick, which is very
harmful for lives. Brickfields also cause crop loss, corrosion of metallic objects and loss of
soil fertility. Brickfields are one of the major sources of air pollution in Dhaka city. Recently
this issue is being taken into consideration seriously. As brickfields are operated during the
dry season, it is clear that brickfields have large contribution to the air pollution.

Air is also polluted from emission of industry. Many industries are established in Dhaka city and
periphery of Dhaka city. All the industries emitted harmful gaseous content to the air.
Hazaribagh tannery industries are in Dhaka city which polluted air, water and soil. Tanneries
waste is used for preparing poultry through drying, burning and adding another chemical. Toxic
substances are entering on poultry from tannery waste and subsequently in human body which
may causes for cancer
and any other disease.
Drying and burning of
tannery waste is another
causes of air pollution.
Black smoke emissions
from vehicle, soil dust,
vehicle rubber tire dust
etc. are potential source
of air pollution.

Photo Source: The Daily Star 26.02.13

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Solid Waste Management:
As urbanization and
economic progress
increases consumption of
resources also tend to
increase in the same
rate. This leads to
immense negative
impact on environment
in the sense of
generation of waste by
the urban. Solid waste
Photo: Poor women are sorting recyclable things from household waste
generation and its impact is the most troublesome now a day’s Dhaka city, the capital of
Bangladesh, with huge population within its city area of 360 sq. In addition to this about one
million commuters visit the city everyday in search of their livelihood. The population of Dhaka
city has increased rapidly, with a growth rate of 3.72% per year. In Dhaka City Corporation (DCC)
area 60% houses are of low income, 37% middle income and the rest 3% constitutes high-
income houses. The old part of Dhaka is more densely populated than the new part of Dhaka.
The heavy inflow of population put strain on the city services including solid waste
management. The city generates about 3,500 tons of solid waste each day (Enayetullah, 1995).
Of which 3000 tons considered to be household waste. The municipality collects only half of the
solid waste. The waste that is not collected by municipality is left on, to rot in the heat and
humidity of the city’s air. The resulting stenches, rodents clogged drains and pose a serious
health problem to city’s inhabitant. It is management that should given emphasis from the root
level of waste generation. Information about physical and chemical properties of solid waste is
important in evaluating equipment needs, systems and management programs and plans,
especially with respect to the implementation of disposal and resource and energy recovery
options. Characterization of waste is also important to determine its possible environmental
impacts. The waste components, although vary widely with the location and season of the year,
include food wastes, paper, plastic, cloths, metal, glass, construction materials and others (DCC
1999).
As mentioned earlier household waste contributes most of the solid waste, so it should be
manage properly. There are serious problems with the disposal of household rubbish. The local

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authority regards refuse
collection as a low priority. The
collections made by the large
trucks of Dhaka City Corporation
are restricted to the main roads
because they are unable to
maneuver in the narrower
streets. As a result piles of waste
sometimes left for months,
before it is cleared away.

Photo: Transportation of household waste

Traffic Congestion:

Traffic congestion in
cities is a global
problem, and has been
addressed mainly in
two different ways: by
creating more space
and infrastructure for
cars while banning
other vehicles, and by
reducing the space and
infrastructure for cars
while improving the Photo Source: The Daily Star 26.02.13

situation for walking, cycling and public transit. Several steps have been undertaken to reduce
traffic congestion in Dhaka city, such as imposing restriction on the entrance of trucks in Dhaka
during daytime, banning of cycle rickshaws in different roads, changing the time table of the
trains, changing the lanes of public transport, construction of foot over bridges rather than
zebra crossings, construction of flyovers, and so on. In addition, a traffic signal system was
introduced, investing a huge amount of money. Though buses, trucks, rickshaws, trains and

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pedestrians have all been blamed for the congestion in Dhaka, after imposing restrictions on
them the congestion level did not reduce.

• Reason behind Traffic Congestion:

City lay-out (master plan) and over-population: The causes of traffic congestion in Dhaka
city are multifarious. Starting from the city itself, it is observed that the skeleton, structure
and lay-out of Dhaka City are not well-planned and well-directed. Dhaka is also a highly
populated city. More than one crore people live here and the figure is increasing day by day.
This huge population acts as an auto-catalyst of traffic congestion in Dhaka City.

Inadequate and unplanned roads: Dhaka City has very inadequate road networks. For a
standard city, where the minimum road requirement is 25%, Dhaka has only 7.5% road of its
total area. 30% of this
7.5% road is also
occupied by the
hawkers, salesman and
shopkeepers. A
significant portion is
occupied by
construction materials
and waste-containers
of the City
Corporation. As a
result, vehicles do not
get sufficient space to
move on. Besides this,
in most cases roads are
serpentine rather than Photo: DCC waste container on road
being straight.

This ultimately breeds a number of unnecessary junctions where vehicles automatically slow
down. Again, these roads are also not well constructed and regularly repaired. City
Corporation, DESA, WASA, BTTB excavate the roads randomly without any integrated and
central plan. Lack of proper maintenance causes the vehicle to stop without any prior
notice. During the rainy season the situation becomes more critical while the roads go under
water due to heavy rain.

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Heterogeneous vehicles and inadequate public transport: Dhaka is a city of heterogeneous
vehicles. Human puller to latest model automobile, mechanical to non-mechanical, slow to
fast-moving, nothing left on the
road of Dhaka. It is quite difficult to
control all these vehicles on the
same road as they have different
speed capacity. Besides this, public
transport system in Dhaka city is not
adequate and properly-routed.
Instead of big and spacious buses,
presence of large number of mini-
buses and private vehicles can only
contribute to carry few passengers,
but not to reduction of traffic Photo: Heterogeneous vehicles on city road (bdnews24.com 13.04.11)
congestion.

Rail crossing: Every day we are

experiencing movement of 74 trains
to and from Dhaka. On an average,
it takes five minutes to get the
clearance for each crossing. Thus
every day in a single crossing, the
vehicles stop for six hours that is
really difficult to offset.

Photo: Malibagh rail crossing

Insufficient parking arrangement

and road blockage: Limited parking
arrangement is another major
cause of excessive traffic in Dhaka
City. It has become a regular
practice to park the car on road.
Even during rush hours, people are
seen loading and unloading their
vehicles on a busy road. City
transports also stop here and there
without any valid reason. The three
major bus stations, Sayedabad,
Photo: Parking on Murpur road
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Gabtoli and Mohakhali do not have sufficient capacity to accommodate all the buses
operating from here. A recent addition to road blockage is the long queue of vehicles at CNG
stations, which is really difficult to overcome.

Recommendation:

For removing water logging from Dhaka city following measure should be taken:

• Assigning task to a single authority for construction and operating drainage work.
• Following Detailed Area Plan (DAP) for any development work.
• Strictly prohibit to filling flood flow zone.
• Strictly prohibit of polythene use.
• Preparing a drainage master plan.
• Strictly follow Drainage Act of Dhaka city.
• Maintaining natural drainage system.

Following initiative should be taken for reducing fire hazard:

• Strictly following Bangladesh National Building Code for all type of development work.
• Strengthening capacity of the BFSCD.
• Strictly monitoring development work.
• Awareness builds up through training and practice.
• Conducting mock drill.

Following initiative should be taken for avoiding river pollution:

• To construct treatment plan in all outlet of DWASA storm sewerage line.

• To construct septic tank with soak well in all house and disconnecting sanitary sewer
line from storm sewer line.
• Preparing sewerage master plan.
• Developing effective solid waste management plan.
• Shifting garbage station from the embankment of the river Buriganga.
• Restore necessary ecological process of the river Buriganga.
• Avoiding burn oil disposal and washing empty chemical jar.

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Following initiative should be taken for reducing groundwater deletion:

• Reducing dependency on groundwater and developing surface water treatment

plant and distribution system.
• Stopping all type of RCC surface covered development work.
• Avoiding surface wrapping by concrete or clay tiles.
• To take effective measure for recharging groundwater table.

To reducing air pollution following action may adapt:

• Strictly follow rule of Department of Environment, Bangladesh for establishing brick field
• Reducing black smoke and chemical emission from different industries and vehicle.
• Shifting tannery from Hazaribagh to tannery estate at Savar as soon as possible.

Following step of action may be adapted for effective waste management:

• Developing integrated plan for waste management

• Using different basket at household level for separating recyclable and non recyclable
waste.
• Strictly prohibit uses of polythene.
• Using covered container for transporting solid waste.

Following step of action may be for reducing traffic congestion:

• Avoiding heterogeneous traffic system.

• Avoiding parking on road.
• Dividing lane for different speeded traffic.
• Evict hawker from footpath.
• Removing speed breaker from road.
• Repairing road periodically.
• Obey traffic rule in all cases.

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Conclusion:

In last century the Dhaka city was most beautiful and habitable place for living. At present
the Dhaka is losing its beauty. Population pressure increased in Dhaka city day by day. Huge
population causes pressure on existing utility facility and environmental regenerate
capacity. It is not possible to increase utility service in overnight to meet up demand. Lack of
proper utility facilities and increasing population pressure causes manmade hazard as well
as manmade disaster in Dhaka city.
This study is conducted over the basis of almost secondary data and this is not focused all
over scenario of the problem. We should conduct much more study to realize this problem
as a first concern issue and take the major steps to prevent this problem for making
habitable and environment friendly city life.

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Reference:

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Performance and Challenge, Dhaka: Dhaka WASA.

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rivers in Dhaka Mega City”, Proceeding of International conference on World Water Week,
Stockholm, 05-11 September.

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Alom, B. J. M. etal. “Fire hazard categorization and risk assessment for Dhaka city in GIS
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