Ongoing projects to tackle waterlogging in Chattogram city have reached 75 percent completion, said Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
A meeting was held on Wednesday afternoon at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka to review progress on resolving waterlogging issues in the city. The meeting was presided over by Professor Yunus.
Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr. Muhammad Ziauddin reported that 88 percent of activities across the four main waterlogging projects have been completed.
During his visit to Chattogram on May 14, the Chief Adviser had instructed that even if the waterlogging problem could not be completely resolved, at least 50 percent reduction should be achieved by this year. Following this directive, the 34 Engineer Construction Brigade of the Bangladesh Army, along with local organizations, actively participated in the projects.
Brigadier General Shamsul Alam of the 34 Engineer Construction Brigade said that, surpassing the target of 50 percent, 75 percent of the waterlogging has already been reduced through joint efforts.
According to reports, in 2023, waterlogging lasted 8 to 9 hours in 113 areas of Chattogram city. This year, the duration has decreased to 2 to 4 hours in 21 areas. The goal is to reduce this number to 10 areas by 2026 and bring waterlogging under complete control by 2027.
The main cause of waterlogging in Chattogram is poor waste management. Approximately 800 tons of waste accumulate daily in the city’s canals and drains, obstructing water flow. Although the Chattogram City Corporation can remove 2,700–2,800 tons of waste per day, the city generates about 3,200 tons daily.
Expressing satisfaction with the progress, Chief Adviser Professor Yunus said, “The first phase of waterlogging reduction in Chattogram is complete. We will now begin the second phase.” He directed all organizations to submit written plans and assigned the Chattogram Divisional Commissioner as project coordinator.
Regarding Chaktai Canal reconstruction, a permanent concern for the Chief Adviser, Chittagong Development Authority Chairman Engineer Nurul Karim stated that 12 pumps have been installed, 10 of which are operational. Once all pumps are functional, they will remove 24 crore liters of water daily. In total, 56 pumps are being installed for city-wide drainage.
Two local political parties, BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, have renovated two canals with their own funds, and gratitude was expressed for their contribution.
The meeting was attended by Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan, Industry Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam, Chattogram Development Authority Chairman Engineer Nurul Karim, Chattogram Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam, and citizen representatives.
