Mayor to lead new 19-member coordination committee to fix Chattogram waterlogging

The government has formed a coordination committee led by the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) mayor to address the city’s persistent waterlogging crisis.

The move comes amid disputes among service agencies and indications that the ongoing “mega project” deadline may be extended again.

The decision followed a two-day emergency visit by State Minister Shahe Alam after severe flooding in the port city last Tuesday.

An office order signed by Deputy Secretary Ashfiqun Nahar established the committee, with CCC Mayor Shahadat Hossain appointed as its convenor, to ensure canals and drains remain functional year-round.

Shahe Alam indicated that the deadline for the mega project, originally slated for completion by June, will likely be pushed back to December to ensure quality work.

The project, which covers 36 of the city’s 57 canals, was first approved in 2017 with a budget of Tk 56.16 billion.

Following a revision in 2023, the cost surged to Tk 86.26 billion with a formal expiry of June 2026.

Shahe Alam also directed the drafting of a project proposal for a “netting system” to prevent waste from being dumped into the canals once they are handed over to the CCC.

The visit was marked by sharp exchanges between the state minister and CDA Chairman Noorul Karim.

During a meeting at Nagar Bhaban, Shahe Alam accused the CDA chief of non-cooperation and being "against the government", citing a lack of public communication over project delays.