Despite a decade of mega-projects costing over Tk 14,257 crore, Chattogram remains paralyzed by chronic waterlogging. While Tk 10,408 crore has already been spent, recent heavy rains on April 28 left vast areas of the city—including Chawkbazar, Muradpur, and Agrabad—submerged in waist-deep water for up to eight hours.
The persistent flooding has sparked intense public criticism regarding the planning and implementation of these high-budget initiatives.
Experts point to fundamental flaws in project design. Although the city has 74 canals, only 36 were included in the primary development project led by the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA). This leaves nearly half the city’s drainage network neglected.
"A permanent solution is impossible without a scientific survey and tidal flow analysis," stated Professor Muhammad Rashidul Hasan of CUET. He noted that key recommendations from the 1995 Drainage Master Plan—such as the creation of water retention ponds—were largely ignored.
Canals Choked by Waste and Encroachment
On-the-ground reports show that critical waterways like the Forest and Krishnakhali canals are filled with silt, plastic, and industrial waste. Illegal encroachments on canal banks have further narrowed water flow, causing overflow even during moderate rainfall.
CDA Chairman Md. Nurul Karim admitted that budget constraints prevented the inclusion of all canals. He warned that until the remaining 38 canals are developed, 20 to 25 percent of the city will continue to face waterlogging.
The Coordination Crisis
While the government recently formed a 19-member coordination committee led by the City Mayor, residents remain skeptical. Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain emphasized that engineering alone isn't enough. "If residents continue to throw garbage into drains, no project will succeed," he said, calling for public cooperation.
As the monsoon season intensifies, the citizens of Chattogram are looking for real results beyond "paper decisions" and official progress reports.
