CCC starts waste removal from 57 canals

CHITTAGONG, Jan 8: Chittagong City Corpora- tion (CCC) started waste removal and sand lifting from the port-city's 57 canals on Sunday to facilitate smooth water flow through the canals.

CCC Mayor A J M Nasir Uddin formally launched the programme in Bahaddarhat Police Box area at the mouth of Chaktai Khal.

The work will continue throughout the year to save the city from water-logging caused by stagnation of water during the rainy season.

CCC officials, however, said they will complete it before the next rainy season.

As per RS (Royal Survey) record, there were 57 small and big canals in the city, but currently only  36 of them are in existence. Other canals have faced extinction due to illegal grabbing and construction of infrastructure on those waterbodies by various quarters.

While inaugurating the work the CCC mayor said it will ensure smooth flow of water, which now remains stagnant due to rise of the canal-beds. It has happened because of indiscriminate throwing of household wastages including polythene by the people living on both sides of the canals.

He urged people to be conscious about the consequence of such action, because it will cause havoc to them in the rainy season.

The CCC mayor said the waste removal work is part of the city corporation's regular annual programme to enhance navigational capacity of the canals. Under the programme CCC will remove silt, waste, garbage and other rejected materials from the canals.

It will cost Tk 100 million, which will be entirely spent from CCC's own fund. Last year, it spent Tk 70 million in such project.

CCC has divided the entire canal system in the city into six zones, and each zone is headed by an engineer of the organisation.

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