The only comfort is that Dhaka has not collapsed yet, but sadly most fear that it certainly is going there. It has been predicted that by 2015 Dhaka will be the second largest city in the world in terms of population, which is expected to be 22.8 million by then. The question that is on everybody's mind is if the situation of Dhaka is this dire now, then how would the capital be able to respond to the needs of her citizens in the coming years?

Certainly is not easy to manage a city like that of Dhaka; however it also has to be acknowledged that neither is it a picnic to live in such an impossible city. Take the case of the hideous phenomenon called "water logging" that occurs every time it rains in the capital. A lot of discussions and remedy strategies are on the table but at the end of the day, the ordinary citizens wretchedly realise the shortfall of the city management in tackling this problem as clearly the situation is deteriorating with each rainfall. And as for reasons, clogged drains and canals filled are blamed but why would the drains be clogged and city's canals be filled up when there are certainly sufficient departments and adequately manned out there to properly maintain these lifelines of the capital?

Water logging in the capital is not an overnight sensation so would not that mean the authorities out there to ensure a soothing environment for the proper functioning of the capital have failed miserably year in and year out? Not only is the capital brought down to a virtual standstill but also the economy is affected and people's sufferings reach a new height every time the city is submerged under rainwater.

It is fairly understood that urbanisation is one of the most powerful realities of the 21st century and Dhaka is one of the fastest growing mega-cities in the world with an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 new migrants added to the existing capital population annually. This massive influx of population is indeed having its impact on the capital and it has been noticed that Dhaka Metropolitan area is expanding towards the Northerly direction. Studies have found out the expansion of the city along the road-rail corridor of Dhaka-Tongi-Joydebpur-Gazipur and further northbound expansion along the road corridor of Sripur-Bhaluka-Gaforgaon, Trisal-Mymensing. And in the north-eastern part are the road-rail corridor from Dinajpur to Khulna and the northern corridor outlying areas of Dhaka-Comilla-Feni-Chitagaong. However despite such expansion and "development", real concern towards the well-being of Dhaka was never sincerely addressed from the city management point of view, not at least to the deserving extent. And the water logging, like many other problems, is simply an outcome of such insincerity. Even though lots have been said concerning this matter, it seems that the magnitude of the problem is also multiplying and defying all the efforts of the authorities, who seem as helpless as the citizens in this crisis.

Now every time clouds hover over the skies of Dhaka it ushers a hushed tense air amongst the citizens. Some say the effects of water logging are equivalent to the hartals and all the negativity the hartals used to bring to the capital, as Dhaka would be dragged down to a virtual standstill, while crores of the nation's capital would go to waste and people's misery knew no bounds. Ask the conscious mind, if that's how a nation's capital should perform? It is acknowledged that efforts are underway for the betterment of the situation but the truth is the steps are belated and many fear that the damage has already been done. Experts explain that the city management for the last two decades or so could not just address the needs of the changing contours of a developing city like Dhaka. It is understandable that there are administrative and financial restrictions. However supporting efforts of urbanisation in the utmost sustainable manner is critical not just from urban infrastructural aspects but also for a nation's economic and social growth. But the urban governance of Dhaka was always somewhat inadequate to establish the capital as a functional urban city. It has failed and continues to fail to harvest social, economic and environmental benefits for her citizens to the relevant extent. And water logging in the capital is a dire example of the haphazard and flawed way of response to massive urbanisation that the capital is experiencing for the last two or so decades.

The capital has already a handful of challenges which she struggles to meet with dignity. But unlike many other problems that of water logging is somewhat different as it is a wrong that has been deliberately practised and strategically ignored. And when pointed out excuses are showered by the authorities from all levels and remedy strategies summoned which now has come down to a mimicry procedure during the monsoon season. It often seems that the responsibilities of the respective authorities are only limited to mumbling negligent excuses instead of doing actual work. This only reflects the disregard towards the deserved well being of the taxpaying citizens. But enough is enough and it is the right of the citizens to experience betterment of the situation caused by corrupt officials and land grabbers.