'Shobar Dhaka' to sweep now entire DNCC

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) is set to increase the service range of 'Shobar Dhaka' app because of the widespread response from the dwellers.

The app was launched on a trial basis on January 10 last year in five major areas under the city corporation, with the aim to improve and ensure civic amenities.

Sources familiar with the development confirmed that growing response and enthusiasm from the beneficiaries among the city dwellers has caused the DNCC authorities to expand the coverage to five more areas under the city corporation. 

Once implemented upon the final nod from the authorities concerned, the app will cover the entire DNCC. 

The app lets residents make complaints to DNCC directly on eight issues -- mosquito, road, street lights, garbage, waterlogging, public toilets, drainage and illegal structures.

According to the app’s website, it received 117,744 complaints from the city people till July since its inception.  Of the complaints filed, as many as 116,121 was addressed. The rest is under the process of being taken care of.

This means a whopping 98% of the complaints were resolved. 

The perennial mosquito menace (10,238) tops the list of problems reported, with the public toilet issue (22) finding its place at bottom.

Despite the surge in response, stakeholders suggest an even larger public campaign of the app.

Users’ take

Uttara Sector-9 resident Sirajul Islam has a canal flowing beside his home and his nieghbours mindlessly, according to him, dump wastes there.

It would cause immense odour to spread in and around the area, which also helped increase mosquito-borne disease there, he said.

But Sirajul got rid of the problems just two after he reported the matter to the DNCC through the app.   

Ashikur Rahman of Mirpur said he posted a complaint about a public toilet on February 26 and the problem was addressed in just six hours.

High hopes

When contacted, DNCC System Analyst Md Tuhinul Islam, confirming the expansion of the app’s usage, said they would also concentrate on the app’s promotion and publicity.  

DNCC officials said the app has greatly proved citizen-friendly as the response from the city people keeps spiralling every day.

This happens because of the easy access and using method of the app, they observe. 

“It usually takes between three and five days to deal with any problem reported through the app. But in case, if the councillor concerned or regional executive officer fails in doing so, the DNCC mayor and the CEO look into the issue,” they said. 

DNCC Mayor Md Atiqul Islam said the app massively helps ensure accountability regarding the civic amenities. 

“One doesn’t now need to visit the DNCC for days to get a problem solved as the solution is just a few presses away on a cell phone,” he said.

“The solution is right where the problem is,” said a confident Atiqul. 

Other features

Both IOS and Android users can frequently use this app, which is run at a monthly cost of Tk4 lakh.

DNCC dwellers can submit their complaints by capturing a photo with a real-time GPS location and they can write the details about the problem.

The app also has an option named “Solution Counter.” If anyone makes multiple complaints, she/he can see how many issues have been dealt with.

There is a special feature named "Emergency Alert." Every user can set up an emergency contact number when he or she opens an account on this app and if the person clicks on this option, a message along with the location will be sent to that contact person where it will be mentioned that the user needs help from him or her.

Besides, through this app, people will get emergency numbers of different government agencies like 333 (Government Information and Services), 100 (BTRC), 16120 (DESCO) and 13 others. It also has a separate section to call 999 for any kind of emergency.

This app has another section named "Dhaka Today" which will let residents get information about the day's events, like exhibitions, training and different social programs.

Apart from these, there is another feature in this app named “Nearby Services,” under which there are 12 sub-sections.

In this section, if anyone clicks on “Bus Stand,” that user would be able to see the location of nearby bus stands. This is also applicable for the rest of the 11 options, like hospitals or police stations.