DCC renews commitments

As a matter of fact, the DCC has set itself some ambitious goals apart from concentrating on areas like road construction and repair, mosquito eradication and conservancy. The plans include construction of a seven- kilometre long flyover from Jatrabari to Gulistan and a 33-storey car park-cum-commercial building in Motijheel.

The mayor also announced that there would be no 'rutted roads' in the city by February next year, which represents a high water-mark in ambition given the trackrecord of failure on that score. But the citizens would definitely like him to succeed there, this time around.

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Presentation of a new DCC budget has traditionally been an occasion to make commitments and promises. But what happens after that is a lacklustre implementation of goals and persistence of old problems with routine regularity. What has the mayor done in basic areas like road maintenance, garbage disposal and eradication of mosquitoes? He certainly has, and will have, the advantage of having the support of the ruling party during his full tenure.

Obviously, the roads in the city are in bad shape; most of them have developed cracks and potholes, which make movement of both vehicles and pedestrians a hazardous proposition, particularly during the rainy season. So if the DCC really succeeds in giving the roads a much better look by February, as the mayor has promised, it will have done a very significant part of its job.

Mosquito eradication is another area where the DCC has faced carping criticism for its poor performance. Similarly, the DCC is yet to attain the minimal level of efficiency in garbage disposal and maintenance of surface drains. So the City Corporation will have to do a lot to live up to the commitments made by the mayor.

The success of the plans will depend to a great extent on the DCC's ability to generate funds. And for that to happen, it is imperative that its tax collection system is streamlined.

We believe the DCC should concentrate fully on setting things right internally, particularly on curbing corruption which is eating into the vitals of the organisation.