Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher has said the government aims to complete major development projects in Chittagong, including the waterlogging mitigation project and elevated expressway, by December this year.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting with officials of the Chittagong Development Authority on Thursday, the minister said several mega projects worth thousands of crores of taka have remained unfinished for the past eight to ten years.
He said around 90 to 95 percent of the work on key projects has already been completed, but some remaining complications are preventing the public from receiving full benefits.
“The main purpose of my visit to Chittagong is to resolve these pending issues and ensure the projects are fully operational,” he said.
The minister said he had spoken with Chattogram WASA officials, who assured him their remaining work would be completed by June 30. He also said work on the flyover ramp, initially scheduled for completion in December, has been requested to finish by September.
Referring to the waterlogging mitigation project being implemented by the army’s 34 Engineering Construction Brigade, the minister said 95 percent of the work has already been completed and residents are expected to benefit from the project during this year’s monsoon season.
Addressing concerns over the effectiveness of the project because of fragmented implementation, he said the effort is being carried out in coordination with the CDA and the Chattogram City Corporation, which is working on 21 canals. Any defects or loopholes identified later will be addressed quickly, he added.
The minister also announced a strict government stance against constructing buildings in violation of approved designs.
He said authorities will follow a “zero tolerance” policy and introduce stricter approval procedures requiring complete submissions, including architectural, structural, electromechanical and plumbing plans.
He warned that occupancy certificates would not be issued to buildings that deviate from approved designs. Without the certificate, utility services such as gas, electricity and water connections will not be provided.
When asked about buildings previously constructed in violation of regulations, the minister said the current government has been in office for only three and a half months and is now reviewing how past violations can be brought under legal accountability.
Earlier in the day, the minister visited several ongoing development projects in Chittagong and inspected progress on-site.
