They called for updating as well as strict implementation of the laws related to the protection of wetland and open space to protect the city from waterlogging.

They also laid emphasis on the participation of city dwellers to maintain the drainage system of the city along with the authorities concerned.

The discussion titled 'How to solve waterlogging problem of Dhaka city' was organised jointly by Nagorik Sanghati and Organ Developments Ltd at the National Press Club in the city.

Kazi Mohammed Shish, former chief engineer of Water and Sewerage Authorities (Wasa), presented the keynote speech at the discussion.

He said no less than 56 crore litres of water drains out from the city every year and of this, 23 crore litres is rainwater and the rest household liquid waste.

But under the existing drainage system, only 60 percent of the total water is drained out from the city, he added.

Kazi Shish said the household liquid waste is increasing every year with the growing number of populations but the city drainage coverage is not increasing at the same rate.

He said the city drainage system has been designed in such a way that it can drain out in an average 65 millimetres rainfall in six hours.

"So if the drainage system remains properly clean, there is no question of waterlogging during the normal rainfall. But most of the drainage system is clogged with household waste and polythene. So there is severe waterlogging in the city during the monsoon," he added.

Kazi Shish said, "We have blocked all the natural drainage system by filling up 22 big and many other small canals."

The present Wasa drainage system covers an area up to flood protection embankment in the West, Janapath-Rampura-Pragati Sarani-Railway track in the East, Tongi bridge in the North and Buriganga river in the South, he said.

But the city now needs a drainage network covering 260 square kilometres, but it has only 150 square kilometres, he added.

Dr Moniruzzaman Mia, former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, said, "If we remain conscious and law obedient we can protect the city from waterlogging."

Dr ASM Atiqur Rahman presided over the discussion which was moderated by Dr AQM Mahbubur Rahman.

Md Asaduzzaman, managing director of Organ Developments Ltd, Sharifuzzaman Sharif, general secretary of Nagorik Sanghati, and Mihir Biswas, member-secretary of Buriganga Bachao Andolon, were present at the discussion.