Chattogram mayor identifies causes of waterlogging, calls for immediate action

The key reasons for the crisis are the disruption of water flow in the city's Hijra Canal and a large drainage channel connected to it, he says

Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Shahadat Hossain has identified two causes of waterlogging in the port city and issued directives to resolve them.

He conducted an on-site inspection of water flow conditions in the neighbourhoods of Kapasgola, Chawkbazar, Katalganj, Munshi Pukur Par, Badurtala, and Tupi Wala Para on Wednesday afternoon.

Among the areas that have experienced repeated waterlogging this monsoon are Katalganj, Chawkbazar, and Kapasgola.

During the inspection, local residents presented a number of issues and urged him to take prompt and effective action.

In the Katalganj and Buddhist Temple parts of the city, two specific causes behind the waterlogging crisis were identified.

The key reasons found were the disruption of water flow in the city's Hijra Canal and the large drainage channel connected to it near the Buddhist Temple.

To address this, Shahadat instructed the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) to expedite the renovation work on the canal.

At the same time, he directed the Chattogram City Corporation’s cleaning department to remove more soil from the connecting drain.

After the inspection, the mayor said: “To permanently solve the city's waterlogging problem, there is no alternative to a coordinated approach.

“Alongside the drainage system under the City Corporation, WASA, CDA, the Water Development Board, and other concerned agencies must properly clean and renovate canals and drains.

“The cooperation of city residents and inter-agency coordination is also essential.”

However, for a long-term solution, the mayor called for an increase in government allocations and the swift completion of mega projects.