***Letters for publication in these columns should be addressed to the Editor and legibly written or typed with double space. For reasons of space, short letters are preferred, and all are subject to editing and cuts. Pseudonyms are accepted. However, all communications must bear the writer's real name, signature and address.***

Gity roads and public leaders

Sir. For over two decades our road traffic in the metropolitan city of Dhaka has been plunged into chaos and confusion, disorder and disarray and nadir of degradation but unfortunately neither the BNP/AL/Jaamat any other political'party nor the authority concerned has so far taken any effective step to combat the ever deteriorating situation.

As usual, important and busy city roads are constructed. repaired, carpeted and recarpeted again .and again at the huge expenditure of the public exchequer but as soon as the work is completed, the roads, pavements and public

thoroughfares are grasped or occupied by a handful of persons for using those as 'garage' for repairing and parking of cars, buses, trucks, rickshaws; for holding public meetings and making hawkers' markets etc. There is little space left for the movement of vehicular traffic or for the pedestrians. We are all stunned and astonished as to what the public roads are meant for and who own them? There is no care, control and supervision of public roads.

Time and again much has been, written on traffic hazards but so far the result has been really a big zero'.

The solutioji of road traffic problem solfly depends on "the

decision making of the authority concerned. But who is the relevant authority? It appears that the ever 'silent' authority concerned is reluctant to make any decision maybe for fear of losing-political ground. So let the public leaders and the democratically elected authority concerned arrive at a consensus as to how to solve the traffic problem. Don't they have any courage to make a few decisions on road traffic with a view to mitigating the untold sufferings of-the people?

O H Kabir Dhaka 1203

Dhanmondi Lake

Sir. A few days earlier a detailed report appeared tri your esteemed daily regarding the most deplorable condition of Dhanmondi Lake and its surrounding areas. You have also written an exhaustive editorial requesting the City Father to take appropriate action to warrant the deteriorating condi-

tion of the lake and the lakeside. But till now we noticed no response to your request. The condition of the lake and the surrounding areas are turning bad to worse day by day.

The trees and plants along the lake-side are encroached upon by different people in different manner. A large number of cattle are reared in the lake-side. The gardens along the lake-side are used as grazing land and cattle-shed. Number of Juggis, shops etc. were constructed and consequently the lake and the trees along the lake-side are regularly encroached upon by different classes of intruders. They are constantly polluting the lake and the lake-side. No new plantations are made along the lake side though there are enough vacant land Polluted and dirty water is drained Into the lake from all sides poisoning the lake water and the surroundings. We earnestly request the appropriate authority to move ur

gently to protect Dhanmondi Lake.

Abdullah

House No. 673. Dhanmondi R/A. Dhaka

Sewerage in Mirpur

Sir, It's observed that recently sewerage line is under installation at Mirpur area. We thank the authorities for their efforts that after long many years the people of Mirpur are going to get a hygienic atmosphere.

But It's a point to ponder that with only six inches diameter PVC pipe, how long this system will work. In each Jane there are 32 houses and re cently multi storied building construction is rapidly increas ing which might threaten the entire sewerage system with six inches diameter PVC pipe

Will the proper authority kindly look into the matter please.

Md NUuimuddin

Block G. Mirpur 1. Dhaka.

DLTA Protests

Sir, Thank you for your objective editorial under the headline. "DU flares up again"’ published on August 6 last. However, you found the press release issued by the Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA) one-sided and the Prime Minister’s state ment on the matter opposing It. In fact, we have not tried to convey who started the clash' and how. nor do we have information about that and we are not able to collect that informauon too.

In the press release we have only attempted to tell who repeatedly smashed and ransacked the rooms of our colleagues, manhandled them at gun pints used foul languages while kicking on the closed doors of tlie teachers’ lounge. That in a brief press release we could not make you understand the whole matter is our inability.

Prql Md Shahadat All President. DUTa'