Dhaka Road Excavations Spark Widespread Public Hardship

Large-scale excavation works under an urban development initiative in Dhaka have triggered widespread disruption, with residents across several neighbourhoods reporting prolonged suffering due to dug-up roads, stagnant projects and poor coordination between agencies.

Under the ongoing Dhaka Sanitation Improvement Project, the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority is reportedly set to excavate more than 500 kilometres of roads across the two city corporations. As the monsoon season approaches, the pace of digging has intensified, but the visible progress on the ground appears uneven and, in many areas, stagnant.

In Khilgaon’s Sipahibagh Tempo Stand area, a major road has been excavated and cordoned off with tin barriers. Traffic movement has been largely suspended, forcing residents and commuters to navigate narrow, risky alternative routes. Similar scenes are unfolding in parts of Nawabpur, where open trenches remain unprotected, posing daily hazards for pedestrians. Locals say accidents have become frequent, particularly for motorcyclists and those travelling on foot in low-light conditions.

Residents describe a pattern of intermittent work: a few days of activity followed by long periods of inactivity. In several locations, construction materials are left scattered, while excavated sections remain untouched for weeks or even months. In some cases, roads have remained in a dug-up state for nearly a year, with no clear indication of completion timelines or visible signage explaining the project status.

Seasonal rainfall has worsened the situation. Water accumulation in open trenches and damaged road surfaces has made movement even more difficult, often disrupting transport entirely. Commuters report increased risks of slipping, vehicle damage and congestion during heavy showers.

Local residents have voiced frustration over the lack of coordination and communication. They claim that despite repeated excavation, restoration work is either delayed or left incomplete, leaving entire stretches of road unusable.

Responding to concerns, Managing Director of Dhaka WASA, Aminul Islam, said that most of the project funding comes from external sources and that contractors are appointed through international tenders. He maintained that efforts are being made to complete the work as quickly as possible, adding that excavation would be carried out in small sections to minimise disruption and completed within short intervals.

However, these assurances have done little to ease public dissatisfaction, as field conditions continue to reflect prolonged delays.

At the same time, the Dhaka North City Corporation has expressed regret over the inconvenience. Its administrator, Shafiqul Islam, acknowledged the necessity of urgent water-related infrastructure work but stressed the importance of coordination among agencies. He noted that while such emergency projects cannot be avoided, efforts are being made to manage disruptions and improve communication in the future.

For many residents, however, the reality on the ground tells a different story. With roads remaining dug up for months and little visible progress, questions continue to grow over how long city dwellers will have to endure what they describe as development in name only.