Created: 2026/06/01 11:14
Daily Report - D01
Date: 2026-05-17
Location: SMEC HQ
Today was the first day of your student internship program (SIP). It was mainly an introductory session. The program started at around 11:00 AM and continued until 12:30 PM. The program was conducted with the students of CE (total 10) and EWCE (total 6) department combined. At first, the HR ma'am (Samiha Hakim) took our introduction (including name, department, and hobbies). Then she handed over the contract of internship program and took our signatories. Afterwards, she gave each of us a paper to write i) 2 truth about ourselves, and ii) one skill I wish to build which was posted on a wall. Then the presentation of SMEC's history and overview begun. The presentation included that:
1. SMEC started its journey with the construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme commenced on 17 October 1949. This is where its name (SMEC - Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation) derived from.
2. Later, SMEC joined Bangladesh under "SMEC (Bangladesh) Ltd" to provide domestic support, also they acquired ACE Consultants (a local firm) to operate as an independent subsidiary
3. Now, they've joined SJ Group.
4. SMEC have been involved with projects such as Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Dhaka Metro Mass Rapid Transit System, Karnaphuli Tunnel, Axle Load Control Stations, Marine Drive Expressway, Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar Railway Line, etc, in Bangladesh
After this presentation, we were separated into groups and assigned into projects. We were assigned to the "Dhaka Sanitation Improvement Project" project which will be conducted at Dhaka WASA Bhaban in Kawran Bazar.
Then, after a photo session, we broke off and returned home.
Daily Report - D02
Date: 2026-05-18
Location: Dhaka WASA Bhaban
Today was our second day. We went to our location at 09:30 AM as instructed. We waited until around 11:20 when we were greeted by the team members of the Dhaka Sanitation Improvement Project (DSIP) including the acting team leader. At the same time we were provided with snacks (shingara, jilapi, and tea). At first, we were briefed by the acting team leader. He took introduction of us (e.g., name, hometown, and academic background) and then talked about the overall nature about Dhaka's sanitary system and the plan of its improvement.
The plan is the Sewerage Master Plan that was prepared by DWASA in 2014. According to the plan, the core city area is divided into 5 catchments. They are i) Pagla Catchment, ii) Dasherkandi Catchment, iii) Uttara Catchment, iv) Mirpur Catchment, and v) Rayerbazar Catchment. Currently, the Phase-I of project is being implemented in Pagla catchment. It aligns with SDG 6 (target 6.2), targeting universal sanitation and hygiene by 2030. The Pagla catchment will have three main trunk (22 km), and more than 400km of intercepting mains. It will provide sanitation access to about 1.5 million people.
We were told about the work of the office we are attending provides. They provide consulting services for assistance to the Project Management Unit to ensure comprehensive and efficient management of the implementation of DSIP which is financed (loan) by World Bank and AIIB with conditions and criteria (e.g., periodic updates, gender balance, etc).
The office generates reports and checks utilization of resources for the contractors and relevant parties of the project. That includes the DBO (Design Build Operate) framework and resettlement services (social impact assessment, resettlement action plan, etc). The office ensures the funds are appropriately utilized.
Afterwards, the team leader assigned two personnel for providing assistance to us and instructed for site visit in the following days. He noted that we will be provided with existing reports which we will go through. Then he left.
Then, we were briefed by another senior team member. She basically brief us of the same thing but in more detail. The added about the current sludge disposal method, which is very very unhygienic. Only about 20% is "treated", treated as in mere about of chemical added to prevent smell before dumping into river. After completion of the project (which is inclusive, i.e., would cover every part of the city), this situation might improve. However, a separate project has been derived from the current one for handling slum areas. She also talked about how the water supply situation of the Dhaka city was improved (which is very good right now, involved replacing the whole city's pipe preventing illegal connections as well). She talked about the 8 DSIP package locations (WD-1, WD-2, ...) and how it was divided among contractors. The importance of stakeholders and how they were considered (e.g.,, micro-tunneling instead of open drain; even then negatively impacted stakeholders were underground lines), and how things are taking time (e.g., drilling on City Corp. road requires permission, taking time). In between, she also talked about the history of funds and grants into development projects of Bangladesh.
At around 12:45, we left the office. We were told to come back tomorrow at around 10 AM.
Daily Report - D03
Date: 2026-05-18
Location: Dhaka WASA Bhaban
Today was our 3rd day of this internship. We arrived at the location at 10 AM, as instructed. A supervising team member greeted us and instructed us to go through previous day's report. After a while, we were given the Terms of Reference (ToR) of DSIP. We went through this document over the next couple of hours. The document outlined the components of DSIP and which person/team/unit/organization holds which responsibility, including the project management consultancy (PMC) and its duty. PMC essentially is responsible for component 1 (Institutional Support for Sanitation Service Delivery) and component 4 (Project Implementation and Management Support) with some exceptions. It will generate, facilitate, monitor, check justification, of anything relating to quality, resource utilization, finance, etc. The document further outlined the duration of project (60 months with Pagla catchment being 40 months), manpower (total 193 personnel with about 1/3rd being international), and criteria for application for job positions (highly prioritized experience - 10 to 20 years, and minimum qualification being B.Sc. pass). During this time, we were accompanied with snacks (mango and tea).
Then, the supervising team member then asked us about site visits, which we replied with willingness to go. Then the senior team member addressed us shortly. She emphasized on how government tender works. How project is chosen and how contractors are chosen to complete the project (least cost, highest output). She also talked about the realities of these procedures.
Then, we were told that we should expect a site visit the next day or the day after that. After that we were adjourned.
Daily Report - D04
Date: 2026-05-18
Location: Dhaka WASA Bhaban
Today was our 4th day of this internship. It was mostly quiet. We arrived at 10 AM, and left at around 1:10 PM. We weren't provided with any task today, and spent the time sitting and talking with each other. At the end, our assigned supervising team member came and informed us that there will be a site visit to Pagla STP tomorrow. We should arrive before 09:30 AM, and will depart at around 10:00 AM for the visit.
Daily Report - D05
Date: 2026-05-18
Location: Dhaka WASA Bhaban & Pagla STP
Today was our 5th day of this internship. We arrived at the office at around 9:30 AM, as instructed. At around 10:15 we, along with 4 other personnel from the DSIP office, left for Pagla STP. We arrived at the location at around 11:15 AM. There, after an introduction session, we were familiarized with the Pagla STP (current condition and under-construction plan) through a short presentation composed of video and design plan which was accompanied with snacks (tea, biscuits). Then, we took a short safety training briefing where we were provided with protective helmet and high visibility clothing. Afterwards, we went to the construction site. There we were briefed by the accompanying engineers from Pagla STP on what and why's happening. Then we returned to the Pagla STP office and departed for DSIP office at around 01:20 PM. We arrived at the DSIP office at around 02:25 PM where we were provided with some snacks (shingara, dry-cake, nuts, tea). Finally, we left for home at around 3:15 PM. We were instructed to arrive at the DSIP office again on Saturday at 10:00 AM.
Insights on Pagla STP: Currently, there are 16 waste stabilizing ponds with capacity of 120 mld. The proposed reconstruction would replace this system by utilizing only 2 ponds (conventional activated sludge) but with capacity of 200 mld. The construction is being carried out by VA Tech Wabag Ltd as the constractor. Its current progress is around 32%. The waste treatment flow is as follows: screening > aeration > sedimentation > sludge thickener > digestor > biogas. The biogas would be used for electricity generation, which is expected to cover electricity needs for the site area (extra would be provided to national grid, if any exceeds remain). Up to the aeration tanks are currently in construction. Waste collected from the three main trunks sewer (eastern, western, and south-western) will be treated by this treatment plant.
Daily Report - D06
Date: 2026-05-23
Location: Dhaka WASA Bhaban
Today was our 6th day of this internship. However, there actually was no notable activity performed today. We arrived there at 10 AM, sat through the whole time until 1:35 PM when the supervising team member told us that we can leave. We are told to arrive tomorrow (24th May) at 10:00 AM.
Daily Report - D07
Date: 2026-05-24
Location: Dhaka WASA Bhaban
Today was our 7th day of this internship. We arrived there at 10:00 A.M. Soon after, our supervising team member handed us some of the previous quarterly progress reports and the latest semi annual progress report; and instructed us to go over them. At around 2 PM, we were dismissed.
The progress reports: The quarterly progress reports were composed of 8 chapter. They includes background, methodology, physical progress of project, progress of social - resettlement - env. and gender issues, financial progress, identification of problems, conclusion, and recommendation. The semi-annual progress report was composed of 7 chapters; physical and financial progress was merged into one chapter instead of two.
We understood that progress was tracked under physical progress, financial progress, and social work progresses. Physical progress was mostly divided into service packages (e.g., consulancy), work packages (e.g., construction western main trunk), and goods packages (e.g., purchase of office bikes). "Indicator Tracking Table" was used for physical progress monitoring. Financial progress was progress of expenditure vs budget. Social work progress was based on issues resolved vs anticipated list of issues.
The identified problems includes for instance poor coordination among consultants and contractors, and incomplete work plan, budget, social management plans, or financial progress report. Resolve path for the same problems were recommended towards the end of report.
Tabular and summerized progress was provided at the end of report. E.g., for WD1 (progress of PSTP), physical progress was around 20% and financial progress was around 19% as of 31st December, 2025.