Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) senior leader Mirza Abbas on Sunday alleged that the capital city has been experiencing serious waterlogging during monsoon as the government has constructed new drains without recovering the grabbed and filled canals.

"The waterlogging has now become a serious problem in Dhaka city, hampering movement. People suffer badly in the capital due to dust in winter and waterlogging in monsoon," he said.

Abbas, also a former mayor of undivided Dhaka City, said, "The government could have cleared the natural drainage networks for removing the waterlogging by reclaiming water bodies filled by land grabbers had it been sincere to resolve the problem."

He came up with the remarks while speaking at a discussion programme at National Press Club arranged by Jubo Dal Dhaka south unit demanding the release of detained BNP vice chairman Barkatullah Bulu and other leaders.

Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, said the government is making many drains and digging roads and footpaths inflicting sufferings on people only to give the ruling party men a scope for making money.

Mentioning that the existing drains in the city are sufficient, he said only canals should be recovered to eliminate waterlogging problem. "Constructing new drains means wastage of money."

The BNP leader also criticised the government for the sorry sate of the country's roads and highways.

He feared that every sector of the country will collapse and face chaos if the Awami League government is not changed through a fair election.

Abbas urged BNP leaders and activists to get united to save the country's people from the 'clutch of the current regime'.

Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy alleged that threats are being issued to 'disappear' those who raise voice against the government.

Referring to poet and columnist Farhad Mazhar's kidnapping, he questioned why the law enforcers could not arrest the kidnappers though it rescued him and seized the microbus used in the kidnapping.

The BNP leader urged the government to disclose the identities of those involved in the incident.