Dhaka north estimates Tk205 crore losses from vandalism
It will take a week for regular services to resume, mayor says
Dhaka North City Corporation estimates Tk205 crore primary losses from vandalism and torching of properties by miscreants during the ongoing quota reform protests.
Mayor Md Atiqul Islam, at a press conference at Nagar Bhaban today, said that it will take about a weak for regular services to resume due to the destructions.
"Various establishments and vehicles of five Dhaka North City Corporation offices incurred about Tk127.52 crore. Besides, about Tk25 crore in medians, Tk7crore in Mirpur-10 foot-over-bridge, Tk10 crore in Shaheed Abrar foot-over-bridge's escalator and Tk35 crore worth of smart LED lights have been destroyed," he said.
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He further added that a significant number of plants and trees were also destroyed.
The mayor also said, "Our 29 waste dumping trucks were burnt to ashes. One-fourth of our dump trucks were torched and vandalised. It will take 14 months to buy and replace these trucks. Some of them were recently bought before Eid-ul-Adha."
"Waste removal in some areas have been difficult due to dump trucks being torched. It will take a week for the city corporation regular services to resume after removing wastes, fixing the roads and the lights," the mayor continued.
Mayor Atiqul said that the losses were not just Dhaka north's, but the city dwellers.
"Miscreants destroyed these properties bought and built with taxes of the people. I urge the government to identify those involved in this and bring them under the law," he added.
The mayor also sympathised with the families of the students who were injured or died during the protests.
Dhaka North City Corporation has not been able to yet estimate the exact amount of the losses. The mayor also urged the city dwellers to help turn around from these losses.
About 400 tonnes of wastes were removed daily using the dump trucks that were torched, according to the mayor.
During the press briefing, he also informed that 58 road light control boxes, each costing Tk20 lakh, from various areas under the city corporation were destroyed.
Mayor Atiqul said that at least 10 officials-employees of the city corporation were injured during the protests.
"A few of our drivers were beaten up. A five member probe committee has been formed to report on the exact amount of losses. Besides, we have also filed cases regarding the incidents in various areas," he concluded.
