City corp begins installing safety barriers at 563 risky Ctg drain spots
The move follows a tragic incident on 18 April, when a six-month-old baby died after falling from a rickshaw into the Hijra Canal in Kapasgola
The Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) has begun installing safety barriers around open drains and canals across the port city to prevent accidents.
A total of 563 risky spots lacking protective slabs or fencing have been identified, with temporary bamboo railings tied with red ribbons now being put in place as an immediate safety measure.
The move follows a tragic incident on 18 April, when a six-month-old baby died after falling from a rickshaw into the Hijra Canal in Kapasgola. Over the past five years, 10 people have died in similar accidents involving open canals and drains in Chattogram.
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According to the city corporation data, the city has 1,137 kilometres of drains and canals across its 41 wards. In October 2021, the CCC identified 19,234 metres of unprotected canal banks and 5,527 open drain points as potential hazards. However, despite the passage of over three years since the assessment, most of these areas remain without proper safety measures.
On 6 April 2022, the city corporation and Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) held a coordination meeting under a mega waterlogging mitigation project, where both agencies agreed on the urgent need for protective barriers along canals and drains. However, progress remained stalled until the recent fatality reignited action.
In response to the six-month-old baby's death, the city corporation began setting up temporary barriers and issued a public notice seeking information from residents on other hazardous locations.
Six regional executive officers were assigned to collect data, leading to a new list of 563 hazardous spots across six zones: 47 in Zone 1, 78 in Zone 2, 68 in Zone 3, 74 in Zone 4, 33 in Zone 5, and 263 in Zone 6.
To prevent further accidents, the city corporation estimates that 863 concrete slabs of various sizes are needed. Moreover, 146 locations still lack any form of fencing, and several spots remain without manhole covers.
"We have received the updated list of open drains and canals in the city," said Sheikh Muhammad Touhidul Islam, CEO of the Chattogram City Corporation. "With the monsoon approaching, temporary bamboo fencing is being installed. At project sites, permanent protective walls will be built, and slabs will be placed wherever required based on the data we receive."
