Ctg city authorities to form quick response team to tackle waterlogging
The mayor said the team would have absolute power to make decisions and solve problems
The Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) and the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) along with other relevant service agencies will form a "Quick Response Team" to address the city's waterlogging problem, said CCC Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury today.
"The CCC, CDA, the Engineering Construction Brigade of the Army, Wasa, the Water Development Board, the port authorities, and other relevant agencies will work together to address waterlogging. A Quick Response Team will have to be formed with these agencies," the mayor said during an inter-departmental coordination meeting at the CCC's temporary office in the Tigerpass area of the city.
The meeting, attended by CDA Chairman Mohammad Yunus, also discussed the financial constraints of the CCC in maintaining the waterlogging mitigation mega project after its completion and the training of CCC personnel in the operation of sluice gates constructed by the Water Development Board.
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The mayor said that the team would have absolute power to make decisions and solve problems.
"There is no place on earth where waterlogging does not happen. It happens in Dubai and New York too. We have to ensure that the water goes down quickly," he said.
Three agencies are implementing four projects worth Tk14,389 crore to address waterlogging in Chattogram city. About Tk8,000 crore has already been spent. CCC Supervising Engineer Farhadul Alam presented information about the projects at the meeting.
The mayor proposed a multi-pronged approach to tackle waterlogging, including stopping the excavation of canal soil and hill cutting.
He also suggested building silt traps in areas prone to hill soil runoff and noted the importance of coordinated efforts among all stakeholders. Additionally, plans are underway to install nets in some city canals to prevent non-biodegradable waste, particularly polythene.
"There are two more months to go for the monsoon. We have to plan how to provide relief to the people from waterlogging this season. If there is any discrepancy anywhere, no one should blame each other," the mayor further added.
CDA Chairman Yunus admitted some canals need clearing and pledged his team's best effort to avoid waterlogging. He underscored accountability to the prime minister and the need for joint action with CCC, replacing past competition with collaboration to secure more development funds for Chattogram.
Under the supervision of CCC's Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Mohammad Tauhidul Islam, Chattogram Wasa Managing Director Engineer AKM Fazlul Haq, CCC councilors Md Mobarak Ali and Abul Hasanat Mohammad Belal, Water Development Board Chattogram Region Chief Engineer Shibendu Khastagir, CCC Chief Sanitary Officer Commander Latifur Haq Kazmi, Waterlogging Mitigation Project Project Officer Major Md Rokibul Islam and Chattogram Port Executive Engineer Sabrina Haq also spoke at the meeting.
