ICC World Cup and Dhaka's temporary facelift

The city of Dhaka, the capital of one of the most populous countries in the world, has two distinctive parts-the old Dhaka and new Dhaka. But lately the sprawling new Dhaka is under a spell of discriminatory developments---some of its parts are having a facelift while others are not, thanks to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for selecting Dhaka as one of the venues for 2011 World Cup.

Some of the main streets of new Dhaka have been meticulously re-carpeted and their pavements, intersections and dividers repaired and refurbished under the direct supervision of the Bangladesh army at a cost of over Tk. 540 million. The owners have been asked to paint their buildings along these streets. The pavements have been freed from hawkers. Beggars have also been driven out.

The number of buses on the roads has gone down remarkably as the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has banned plying of dilapidated and ugly-looking buses in the city. The authorities have started taking actions against such buses and those plying without valid documents. The plying of inadequate number of buses on the streets has put the commuters in serious difficulties.

In contrast to developments centering some streets of new Dhaka, the situation in most other parts of the city remains the same. The roads are full of potholes and pavements in shabby condition. Hawkers are occupying most part of the pavements making it difficult for the pedestrians to pass through.

However, the issue here is not to oppose the ongoing move to present a decent looking Dhaka to the outsiders who would be coming to witness the World Cup Cricket matches. The event, in fact, has offered a great opportunity to present an improved image of Bangladesh which is globally known as a country of political chaos and natural disasters.

While presenting to the foreigners a better-looking Dhaka, authorities would have to ensure proper law and order and orderly movement of vehicular traffic. The visitors from other countries would be greatly disappointed if they get stuck up in traffic gridlock and fail to reach the cricket match venue at Mirpur Stadium on time. That, obviously, would prove to be a Herculean job on the part of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). The traffic sergeants would be required to remain extra watchful so that the cab drivers do not charge exorbitant fares, which has been a usual practice in this city.

Now the question is: Why should we need the holding of World Cup Cricket matches to ensure a better looking Dhaka or well-maintained roads or an efficient bus service? If the agencies concerned are now serious about presenting an orderly Dhaka, then why should they be indifferent in other times?

Some parts of new Dhaka, now witnessing a sort of transformation, in all likelihood, would return to their usual days at the end of the ICC event. Hawkers and beggars would again crowd the roads and pavements. The ugly looking buses having no valid documents would start plying the streets again, aggravating further the traffic chaos. The agencies concerned would heave a sigh of relief when the ICC event is over and instantly go back to their usual way of carrying out their duties and responsibilities. That usual way is marked by total indifference to the need for solving the problems being experienced by Dhaka and Dhakaites.

In fact, there exists a serious lack of efforts in addressing the problems facing Dhaka and its residents. Often, the authorities concerned do initiate piecemeal steps but those hardly deliver any tangible result.

The Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) plays a very important role in ensuring civic facilities in the capital city. But it has never risen up to the expectation of the Dhaka residents. The past and present mayors on a number of occasions blamed lack of coordination among various agencies engaged in the development of Dhaka city and sought greater coordinating power for the DCC. But their demand has failed to evoke any positive response from the government policymakers.

There is no denying that Dhaka being one of the most densely populated cities of the world does deserve better management and the DCC with its present mandate is not capable of delivering that. It is high time the government devised a sort of umbrella organization for all the agencies responsible for development, law and order and traffic management and providing utility services. Until that happens, the Election Commission should hold DCC polls immediately for the present elected DCC body that has lasted well beyond the mandated time has lost the stem.