CHATTOGRAM, Mar 16: Nearly 80 per cent works of the Chattogram waterlogging removal project have so far been completed, said Lt Col Muhammad Ferdous, Project Director.
"The waterlogging problem in the city in the coming rainy season may be kept at a reasonable level," he hoped.
He said that the problem would not be severe like the previous year following the remarkable progress of the project.
The removal of waterlogging project of the port city has taken a priority basis plan to free the people from the curse of this problem. The major organisations of the city have joined the programme for removal of waterlogging.
The Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), Water Development Board (WDB) and Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) have joined the programme to free the people of the city from the curse of waterlogging.
Those organisations been implementing four projects regarding the removal of waterlogging problem from the port city at an amount of taka 14,389 crore. About Tk 8,000 crore has already been spent.
Those projects are - Canal re-excavation, renovation and expansion to eradicate waterlogging of Chattogram implementing by CDA and Bangladesh Army; Water Development Project and Chattogram City Corporation.
The implementation of those projects is now on going only to remove waterlogging from the port city, Chattogram.
In a recent move of the Chattogram City Corporation, Dr Shahdat Hussain Mayor of CCC inaugurated the cleaning and excavation works of Chaktai Diversion Canal (Birjakhal-Bou Bazar) of Ward No. 19 in city's Baklia area. He said Birjakhal is no longer a canal, it has become like a dustbin.
Terming illegal occupation of canal's land as a big problem in Chattogram, City Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain said the canal excavation work will continue to resolve waterlogging in the port city.
Besides, the CPA participated the programme. The port authority has been implementing a project in collaboration with the Bangladesh Navy, which has been highly successful in improving drainage conditions. So far, 5.5 million cubic metres of dredging work has been completed under this project, which is expected to conclude in June 2025, CPA sources said.
The CPA has undertaken various initiatives, including dredging activities in various canals adjacent to the Karnaphuli River to improve navigability and remove waste to mitigate the city's persistent waterlogging problem.
