DSCC
Under-construction buildings responsible for 40 percent of dengue infections
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Fazle Noor Taposh on Monday said the under-construction buildings are responsible for 40 percent of dengue infections in the city.
“The under-construction buildings created obstruction to control mosquitoes though we are conducting drives regularly. Besides, the authorities also slapped fines in some cases. But no visible steps have been seen from the real estate businessperson,” he said.
DSCC mayor revealed this information while speaking at a view-exchange meeting over controlling dengue and chikungunya, held at the Nagar Bhaban.
Also read: Civic body launches anti-dengue drive in north Dhaka
Issuing a warning, Taposh also said if the real estate businessperson would not take any steps to improve the environment then they will not only fine them but also stop construction work of the building.
He also urged the real estate businessperson under government organisations to take steps to destroy Aedes mosquitoes, which are the vectors of the virus..
“It is our duty to keep the residents of Dhaka free from spread of Aedes mosquitoes and outbreaks of dengue. It will be possible when we make it a social movement and it is impossible for only city corporations,” he said.
Also read: As mosquitoes rage across Dhaka, Mayor Taposh finds ‘solution in public awareness’
Besides, Taposh also stressed the need for creating awareness among people with a slogan ‘To remove accumulated water regularly instead of three days’.
DPDC blames delay in launching Dhanmondi underground cable project on DSCC, hails DNCC cooperation
Despite huge efforts Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC) has failed to start physical work on taking overhead cables underground in the Dhanmondi area as planned with the utility officials blaming it on the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
“We had full preparation to start the job in September last as per plan. But we did not receive permission from DSCC to dig the streets to lay our cables and install other equipment”, said a top official of the DPDC.
He, however, said they have been receiving good cooperation from the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) to replace the overhead cable with underground one.
"That's why we have been able to implement another similar project from the city’s Jahangir Gate in Cantonment to Bangabhaban, the presidential palace”, he said adding that cables were already laid from Jahangir Gate to Farmgate area.
According to official sources, the DPDC had undertaken a huge project of Tk20,500 crore, funded by China, to take its overhead electricity lines underground as part of a mega plan to ensure an uninterrupted, safe, secured electricity supply to its part in Dhaka city.
“Making the views beautiful by removing the ugly and hazardous cables is another main objective of the project”, said Bikash Dewan, managing director of the DPDC.
He also said the overhead cables from Jahangir Gate to Bangabhaban via Karwan Bazar-Kakrail-Fakirapool-Dainik Bangla crossing will disappear once the project is completed.
He appreciated DNCC for cooperation to implement this project as other utilities like internet and TV cable operators have showed positive attitudes to join the project.
About the failure to start the job in Dhanmondi area in September, Bikash said he is hopeful of settling some issues with DSCC to convince it to give the nod to dig the streets and start the physical work of the project.
READ: Much-hyped work on underground cabling in Dhanmondi set to start in Sept
“I think, during next few meetings we would be able to settle the issue with the DSCC”, he told UNB.
At present, a number of utility bodies including Desco, DPDC, cable TV operators and internet service providers (ISPs) and state-owned land phone operator BDCL use overhead cables to reach their services to consumers.
All these utilities hang their respective cables in the same poles used by the electricity supply company which creates an eyesore and carries a risk of accidents, including fire.
“Indiscriminate network of such cables not only undermines the beauty of the city, but it also poses a big threat of accidents including catching of fire”, said a city resident.
The DPDC officials said their mega scheme also includes setting up 40 substations in the city and moving overhead cables of Hatirjheel Lake underground. Taking overhead cables underground from Jahangir gate in Cantonment to Motijheel is also included in DPDC’s other similar project.
Earlier, DPDC completed its design and plan to implement its proposed underground cabling project to make the city free from overhead power cables.
“Already, some of the equipment reached the country and some are on the way,” he said, adding that pole-mounted transformers will be replaced with box-type transformers under the project.
READ: Desco’s underground cabling plan misses JICA deadline for its own fault
Some 36 box-type transformers, 296 of 6-way ring main units (RMU), 34 of 3-way RMUs and 130 LV Cabinet will be installed to facilitate the underground cabling system, Bikash said.
DPDC officials said the project was supposed to kick off in January 2020. But the Chinese engineers who were responsible for designing the works got stuck in their hometown Wuhan following the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite good services Dhaka Nagar Paribahan fails to lure enough passengers
Commuters travelling by the red-and-green buses of Dhaka Nagar Paribahan (DNP) since the pilot launching of the public transport company late last year has so far been happy with its disciplined services and reasonable fare.
For the passengers there is neither any hassle in buying the tickets nor any arguments about fare. Passengers get on and off at designated stations. Inside, there are enough seats to sit and they are comparatively clean. Drivers are civil and helpers are helpful.
In spite of the delivery of the services it has promised the pilot service is being shunned by many regular commuters. The common complaint is that the buses are too slow to reach the stops resulting in long frustrating wait for the passengers.
This drives many passengers to take the otherwise rough-driving higher fare-charging buses simply because they can reach them to their destination faster.
Garbage trucks turned manslaughters; another killed at DSCC
A 60-year-old man was killed after being hit reportedly by a garbage truck of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) in the capital’s Tikatuli area early Thursday.
The victim was identified as a shopping bag trader Swapan Kumar Saha, a resident of Narinda area.
Read:Notre Dame College student dies being hit by DSCC truck
Witnesses said the accident occurred on the east side of Rajdhani Supermarket at Tikatuli around 6:45 am when a garbage truck hit a rickshaw carrying Swapan on his way to TT Para bus stand, leaving him dead on the spot.
However, police could not identify the killer vehicle yet, said Kabir Hossain Hawladar, officer-in-charge (OC) of Wari Police Station.
“Police are trying to identify it from CCTV footage,” the OC added.
Read: After Notre Dame student, now motorcyclist crushed under DNCC truck
On November 24, a 17-year-student of Notre Dame College was killed when a DSCC garbage truck hit him at Golchattar in Gulistan area on Wednesday.
Just a day after the tragic death of a Notre Dame College student, another man, a printing-press businessman of Moghbazar, was crushed under the wheels of a vehicle of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) in the city’s Panthapath area on November 25.
Notre Dame student's death: 9 DSCC drivers suspended
Nine Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) drivers have been suspended over the death of Notre Dame College student Naim Hasan under the wheels of a DSCC garbage truck in Gulistan.
The move was made against them for illegally running the vehicles allocated to them through proxy drivers.
Also, a departmental case was filed against the drivers on charges of negligence of duty, misconduct and incompetence.
However, the DSCC drivers will get a food allowance during their suspension.
READ: Notre Dame College student’s death: DSCC cleaning staff Harun remanded
Of the nine DSCC staff, seven drive garbage trucks. They are Kawsar Ali, Belayet Hossain, Farid Ahmed, Md Abdullah, Jamal Uddin II, Kabir Hossain II and Rabiul Alam, DSCC Public Relations Officer Md Abu Naser said Monday. The others – Azim Uddin and Nur Jalal Shikder – drive light vehicles.
According to the office order signed by DSCC Secretary Akramuzzaman, the vehicles were allocated to DSCC registered drivers who had them illegally driven by proxy drivers. "This is the reason why accidents occur frequently, costing human lives and damaging properties."
The DSCC's transport department officials became serious about irregularities after Naim was run over by a garbage truck on November 24.
The report of the investigation committee formed over the death of the Notre Dame College student also revealed mismanagement and irregularities at the DSCC's transport department.
A proxy driver, later identified as outsider Russel Khan, was behind the wheels of the truck when the accident took place in Gulistan.
READ: Notre Dame College student’s death: main DSCC driver arrested
Staff driver Md Iran Mia, who was supposed to drive the vehicle, allowed DSCC cleaning staff Harun to run it. Harun then handed over the keys to the truck to Russel.
Notre Dame College student’s death: DSCC cleaning staff Harun remanded
A Dhaka court on Saturday placed Dhaka South City Corporation(DSCC) cleaning staff Md Harun on a 2-day remand in a case filed in connection with the death of a Notre Dame College student in a road crash.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Mainul Islam passed the order after investigation officer of the case Anisur Rahman, sub-inspector of Paltan police station, sought a 7-day remand for interrogating Md Harun.
Meanwhile, the defense lawyer submitted a petition seeking his bail which the court rejected after the state side opposed it.
On Friday Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) members detained DSCC cleaner Md Harun who confessed that he has been driving DSCC garbage truck regularly since 2020 without having a license.
Read: Notre Dame College student’s death: main DSCC driver arrested
On Wednesday, he allowed another cleaning staff Russel Khan to drive the vehicle violating the rules as he was absent on the day.
On Thursday, a press release DSCC said, cleaning staff Md Harun a was terminated for taking allotment of the truck through illegal means.
Besides, a departmental case was filed against designated driver of DSCC Md Iran Mia and he was suspended for allowing someone else to drive a truck that was illegally allotted, said DSCC.
Earlier on Thursday, Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate placed cleaning staff Russel Khan on a three-day remand in the case.
On Wednesday, Naim Hasan, a 17-year-student of Notre Dame College, was killed when a garbage truck of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) hit him at Golchattar in the city’s Gulistan area while crossing road.
Read: Notre Dame College student’s death: Truck driver put on 3-day remand
Patrol police in the area detained Russel Khan, who was driving the DSCC vehicle, while he was fleeing and seized the truck, said Md A Ahad, deputy police commissioner of Motijheel division of DMP.
A case was filed at Paltan police station in this regard following a complaint lodged by Naim’s father, he said.
Russel was neither appointed by DSCC as a driver nor he has any driving license, said the police official.
Cleaning staff Harun used to allow Russel to drive the vehicle in his absence, he said.
College student’s death: DSCC terminates two cleaning staff, suspends another
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Thursday terminated two cleaning staffs for illegally taking allotment of a garbage truck and allowing someone else to drive it.
In a press release DSCC said, cleaning staff Md Harun Mia was terminated for taking allotment of the truck through illegal means, and Md Abdur Razzak was terminated for help in driving it.
A departmental case was filed against Md Iran Mia, another driver (heavy vehicle) of the corporation and he was temporarily suspended for allowing someone else to drive a truck that was illegally allotted, said DSCC.
Read: Notre Dame College student dies being hit by DSCC truck
The irresponsibility of the DSCC cleaning staffs led to the death of a Notre Dame College student Wednesday as a garbage truck hit him while crossing a road at Golchattar in the city’s Gulistan area.
Patrol police in the area detained the driver Russel Khan while he was fleeing and seized the truck, said Md A Ahad, deputy police commissioner of Motijheel range of DMP.
A case was filed at Paltan police station in this regard following a complaint lodged by Naim’s father, he said.
Read: Death of Notre Dame College student sparks protests in city
Russel was neither appointed by DSCC as a driver nor he has any driving license, said the police official.
DSCC driver Harun used to allow Russel to drive the vehicle in his absence, he said.
DSCC conducts drive against Aedes mosquito as dengue cases rise
In a bid to contain the dengue outbreak Dhaka South City Corporation on Tuesday filed six cases and collected a fine of Tk 1.05 lakh from owners of buildings where Aedes mosquito larvae was found.
As many as four mobile courts conducted the drive in Kalabagan, Demra, and Dhakeshwari area of South Dhaka.
During the drive the mobile courts inspected153 buildings and found Aedes larvae in six of them.
Executive Magistrate Tanjira Kabir Tropa, who led the drive at Kalabagan said, "Today we conducted a raid in the Crescent Road area of Kalabagan. During the raid, stagnant water was seen in several places on the ground floor of a house behind the Green Life Hospital.”
Read: Dengue control room to function from tomorrow: DSCC
“We have fined its owner Tk 70,000,” she said.
Also on Tuesday a record 343 patients were hospitalised with the mosquito-borne disease , said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Among the new patients, 286 were admitted to government and private hospitals in Dhaka while the remaining 57 cases were reported from outside the division, according to DGHS.
Some 1,281 patients diagnosed with dengue fever are receiving treatment in the country as of Tuesday morning, according to DGHS.
Read: Provide info on Aedes larvae: DSCC mayor to city dwellers
Of them, 1,133 patients are receiving treatment at different hospitals in the capital while the remaining 148 were listed outside Dhaka.
This year’s total death toll from dengue remained static at 52.
Provide info on Aedes larvae: DSCC mayor to city dwellers
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh today urged city dwellers to inform municipal authorities about Aedes mosquitoes so that they can take necessary steps to free their homes of the menace.
“We cannot reach the rooftops of your(city dwellers) buildings. So if you(residents) watch stagnant water, either clean it by yourselves or inform us and we will clean it,” he said while visiting Dhaka match factory colony area to observe the water logging situation on a regular weekly visit.
“Inform us if you know the breeding sources of Aedes mosquitos in your surroundings as it is impossible for us to locate and destroy them all by going home to home,” he said.
READ: DSCC drive: Aedes larvae found in 5 buildings including DOM-INNO’s
Besides, 27 mobile courts of the DNCC on Wednesday sued 27 individuals and collected a fine of Tk 2,16,500 as they found conditions conducive to the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes on their premises.
Sources within Dhaka North City Corporation confirmed the news to UNB.
Similar drives are also going on everyday in South Dhaka too.
READ: Destroy aedes-breeding puddles or face penalty, warns LGRD minister
Ten mobile courts of the DSCC on Tuesday fined owners of 24 under-construction buildings and houses Tk 3.31 lakh over the matter.
DSCC realises over Tk 1 lakh in fines from 7 buildings, finding Aedes larvae in most of them
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Monday found Aedes mosquito larvae in seven houses and under construction buildings during a drive.
After visiting 87 houses and under-construction buildings, ten DSCC mobile court teams fined Tk 1,09500 in seven cases after finding a favourable environment for Aedes mosquito breeding at five of them.
The drive was led by Executive Magistrate Md Haidar Ali, Md Mamun Mia, Md Hasnat Morshed Bhuiyan, Shahin Reza, Md Alamgir Hossain and four of the newly posted executive magistrates in city’s KP Ghosh street, Janatabagh, Raisnagar, Gendaria, Nadipara, and Khilgaon areas.
The magistrates said from next day ten zones under DSCC, ten mobile courts will conduct drives simultaneously to destroy mosquito habitats.
READ: DSCC drive: Aedes larvae found in 5 buildings including DOM-INNO’s
The anti-mosquito drives are being conducted amid a rise in the number of dengue patients with authorities reporting 123 new cases in 24 hours until Monday morning.
For three consecutive days, over 100 patients have been diagnosed with dengue every day adding worries to the country’s health services, already overburdened with growing Covid cases and fatalities.
READ: Destroy aedes-breeding puddles or face penalty, warns LGRD minister
Across Bangladesh, some 468 patients diagnosed with dengue are receiving treatment as of Monday morning, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Most cases have been reported in the capital