Chittagong initiates two new multi-billion taka projects to combat recurring urban flooding
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Chattogram city authorities have unveiled plans for two new infrastructure projects aimed at mitigating chronic waterlogging, with an initial estimated budget of 3.87 billion taka. The initiatives, to be spearheaded by the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), are currently undergoing a preliminary development project proposal phase, though officials caution that final costs are likely to rise following completion of a formal feasibility study.
The first project, budgeted at approximately 322 million taka, focuses on the maintenance and restoration of 36 canals that are currently managed under separate ongoing efforts by the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) and the military’s 34 Engineer Construction Brigade. This segment aims to address sediment removal, waste management, and environmental protection across 110 kilometers of waterways. However, internal reviews suggest that the current financial allocation may be insufficient for long-term sustainability, with project engineers indicating that costs could eventually reach as high as 1.5 billion taka as operational requirements are refined.
বিজ্ঞাপন
A second, more expansive project targets 21 additional canals not covered by current mitigation schemes. With a preliminary budget of 3.55 billion taka, this initiative includes the construction of retaining walls, tidal regulators, and pump stations, alongside provisions for land acquisition and urban beautification. Engineering experts have noted, however, that these 21 canals represent only a portion of the city’s neglected drainage infrastructure, suggesting that a more comprehensive approach covering up to 50 additional canals is necessary to effectively resolve the city’s drainage crises.
These proposals were formally presented last Wednesday at the CCC headquarters in Tigerpass during a meeting attended by Mayor Shahadat Hossain, urban planners, and municipal engineers. The corporation aims to finalize the project documents by the end of this month for submission to the Ministry of Local Government. Officials expressed optimism that the projects could receive approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) by December.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The city’s struggle with waterlogging remains a persistent challenge, with four major projects currently active under the CDA, the City Corporation, and the Water Development Board. These existing endeavors, which have been underway for nearly a decade, have consumed over 10.4 billion taka of their 14.39 billion taka total budget to date.
Mayor Shahadat Hossain emphasized that while recent interventions have provided some relief during the monsoon season, a superficial approach will not suffice. He stressed that the city requires a holistic strategy that integrates canal restoration, eviction of illegal encroachments, and the modernization of sluice gates and drainage networks. The mayor has directed his team to re-examine the budget estimates and expand the scope of the projects to ensure that all critical waterways are included in the city’s long-term drainage management plan.
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