Ctg struggles with waterlogging despite govt projects
NAZIMUDDIN SHYAMOL | Friday, 4 August 2023
CHATTOGRAM, Aug 03: People in Chattogram are yet to be freed from waterlogging during the rainy season, despite several government projects initiated in 2018 to address the crisis.
The situation remains challenging as heavy rains inundated low-lying areas of the port city on Wednesday and Thursday. The downpour, which began at 2 pm on Wednesday, continued until Thursday morning, recording a total of 84.8 mm of rainfall within 24 hours.
Areas including Khatunganj, Asadganj, Bakalia, Chandgaon, Bahadderhat, Chawk Bazar, Badurtala, Nasirabad, Halishahar, Patenga, Kattali and Chaktai were severely affected, with water levels reaching knee-deep in some places.
Omat Azam, a wholesale trader in Chaktai, reported damage to goods due to high tide waters entering the area during the rain.
The ongoing waterlogging has taken a toll on both residents and businessmen, particularly in important business hubs like Chaktai, Khatunganj and Asadganj.
The Chaktai Khatungonj Merchant Welfare Association has urged authorities to evict illegal establishments along the Chaktai canal, a persistent source of concern, and to take measures to prevent waste dumping in the canal.
The government's efforts to permanently solve the waterlogging crisis in Chattogram are yet to yield significant results. With the meteorological office predicting continued rain for the next two days, the situation remains a pressing concern for the city's inhabitants.
Sources said the mega-project, with a budget of around Tk 6,000 crore, which commenced in 2018, is now 76 per cent completed. As part of this initiative, the authority has successfully finished the work on a total of 18 canals, and ongoing efforts continue for the remaining 11 canals.
Out of Chattogram's 57 canals, the project targets 36 canals for improvements. Authorities have made significant progress in reclaiming nearly all of these 36 canals, ensuring normal and smooth water navigation.
Upon completion of the entire project, waterlogging issues are expected to be resolved. However, it is worth noting that the 21 canals that lie outside the project scope may still contribute to waterlogging in the future.