In just two months, the situation in Jashore Municipality has changed significantly. Once shrouded in corruption, the municipality is now seeing improvements in service quality, leading residents to nurture new hopes.
Covering an area of 14.72 square kilometers, Jashore Municipality houses nearly 500,000 people. Although one of the oldest municipalities in the country, it has lagged behind in development for years.
From 1974 to 2024, nine elected officials have served, but none could modernize the municipality. Known for issues like waterlogging, traffic congestion, and unplanned development, the situation began to shift after the mass uprising on August 5.
Following the formation of a caretaker government, the mayor was removed and a municipal administrator, Rofiqul Hasan, was appointed. Since taking charge, the municipality's operations have started to improve.
In the last two months, at least 14 visible initiatives have been reported. Key developments include the excavation of a 2.8-kilometer canal to address waterlogging and the construction of drainage systems.
Ongoing efforts include the clearance of illegal structures and the approval of house plans for 277 properties. Projects related to Covid-19 have also been evaluated, and the tender process for a walkway along the Bhairab River is underway.
Previously, residents faced severe difficulties in obtaining birth and death certificates, often subjected to extra charges and harassment. However, a 'Service Coordination' committee has been established to streamline services. Each ward now has designated officials to assist residents.
The municipal administrator has taken proactive measures to address waterlogging, a long-standing issue exacerbated by poor drainage and illegal construction. Rofiqul Hasan has committed to resolving 80 percent of the waterlogging issues by December.
Traffic congestion has been a significant issue, exacerbated by the over-licensing of vehicles. The municipality has started a pilot program to monitor licensed vehicles through an app and will conduct joint operations with traffic police to control illegal transport, said a competent source of the municipality.
The administrator said, the municipality has established nine complaint boxes for residents to report issues, further enhancing transparency and accountability.
These initiatives signal a promising transformation for Jashore Municipality, fostering hope among its residents for a better future, he said.
