Tk 714 Crore Project Proposed for Roads, Drains and Footpaths in 10 Police Station Areas of Dhaka South
A project worth Tk 714.28 crore has been proposed to repair and develop damaged roads, drains and footpaths in 10 police station areas under Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
The project was to be placed for approval at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday (3 November). The meeting was scheduled to be held at 10:30am in the Cabinet Room (Room 1000) at the Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tareq Rahman.
According to the project summary prepared by the Physical Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission, the main goals of the project are to improve the capital's transport system, reduce waterlogging and raise the quality of life of city residents.
The total cost has been set at Tk 714.28 crore. Of this, Tk 499.99 crore has been proposed from government funding and Tk 214.28 crore from DSCC's own funds. Within the government funding, Tk 299.99 crore will come as a loan and Tk 199.99 crore as a grant.
The Local Government Division of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives is the project's initiator. DSCC will implement it. The target is to complete the work in three years, by 30 September 2029.
Under the project, Tk 141.27 crore has been allocated for developing 28.45 kilometres of roads, Tk 496.78 crore for building and developing 48.63 kilometres of drains, and Tk 46.06 crore for developing 48.70 kilometres of footpaths. Another Tk 2.07 crore will be spent on repairing 5.18 kilometres of road dividers.
About 69.5 percent of the total project cost will be spent on drain construction and development. In other words, the cost plan gives special importance to ending waterlogging.
The project will be implemented in Dhanmondi, Newmarket, Shahbagh, Ramna, Paltan, Shahjahanpur, Lalbagh, Bangshal, Jatrabari and Motijheel, under DSCC administrative zones 1 to 5.
Explaining the need for the project, the Planning Commission said traffic congestion is intensifying as the capital's population and number of vehicles grow. Heavy rain is damaging roads, and waterlogging is increasing for lack of adequate drainage.
In the project summary, the Planning Commission noted that most roads in Dhaka city have been damaged by recent heavy rain. Public suffering from waterlogging has also increased because of inadequate drainage, and pedestrians' safe movement is being disrupted as footpaths in various areas are damaged.
Describing the condition of roads and drainage in the selected areas as extremely fragile, the Planning Commission said waterlogging occurs in these areas even with moderate rainfall.
The project's purpose is to improve transport, protect the balance of the urban environment and raise residents' quality of life through road development, drain construction and footpath repair. The feasibility study was conducted by Spin Consultancy Services. The project is included in the list of unapproved new projects (green page) of the Annual Development Programme for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
