Govt agencies\\\' lack of coordination blamed

CHITTAGONG, June 23: The town planners and civil society members have blamed lack of coordination among the government agencies for delay in implementing the 20-year Drainage Master Plan 1995 that could help reduce sufferings of the port city dwellers from the recurrent water-logging.
The remedy to the long-standing water-logging problem in the city lies with the full implementation of the recommendations made in the master plan, they observed.
They opined that any un-concerted attempt to implement the plan cannot address the water-logging. It needs an effective and concerted approach among the organisations like the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC), Chittagong Development Authority, Chittagong WASA, Power Development Board, T&T and others.   
Vice Chancellor of East Delta University Professor Sikandar Khan said the canals and drains in the city have almost filled up with waste materials and garbage. So, these could not contain the heavy onrush of water following torrential rains for over the last few days.
The Drainage Master Plan suggested cleaning of all drains and re-digging of a few canals including the Chaktai Khal, apart from digging a completely new canal near Bahaddarhat.
Engineer Ali Ashraf, also a town planner, said the drainage master plan suggested widening of the Chaktai Khal and cleaning of the drains. But no agency did ever think of the plan in the last 20 years, and the government agencies and the city corporation take no concerted effort to go ahead with the plan.
The way the roads and buildings have grown up fast on the banks of the Chaktai Khal is alarming and none was there to check those land-grabbers. CCC has finished its job by sending a proposal for digging a new canal to the local government ministry. The project is now lying with the ECNEC, he said.  
There are 17 khals with a total length of 144 kilometers, which can contain maximum 100 cubic feet water. The data shows that shortage of drainage system causes water logging. Besides, old canals face obstructions at many points due to illegal grabbing by influential people, he added.
Meanwhile, water-logging has slightly improved in the port city Monday, as there was no rain from early morning. The city, however, experienced spells of drizzle from around 2.00 pm.
Water from the low-lying areas like Muradpur, Mohammedpur, Bakolia, Agrabad, Kapashgola, Halishahar and Nasirabad started receding, local citizens said.
They said a rickshaw-puller succumbed to his injuries in hospital after coming in contact with a live electric wire at Rahattapole under Bakolia. He was identified as Afirun (30) from Cox's Bazar Sadar upazila. He faced the accident on his way to the garage at around 9.30 pm Sunday.
Cargo handling activities in the port remained suspended for the third day Monday due to inclement weather and rough sea. Hundreds of lighterage ships remained stranded at different ghats including Majhirghat, Sadarghat and Banglabazar.
Over 30 mother vessels and oil tankers were sitting idle at the outer anchorage, as handling activities in the bulk cargo ships were yet to resume.
Delivery of cargo from the port to different parts of the country remained suspended since Friday night. Rains severely affected cargo handling activities in the inland container depots (ICD) throughout Chittagong.
A small number of passenger buses and minibuses were seen plying the roads Monday. Attendance in offices was thin, as most people could not avail transports.