Chattogram City Corporation Unveils Tk 22.6 Billion Budget for FY2026–27

The Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) on Tuesday announced a proposed budget of Tk 22.60 billion (Tk 2,260.24 crore) for the 2026–27 fiscal year, outlining plans to strengthen municipal finances, expand infrastructure, improve drainage, and modernize tax collection.

Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain presented the budget during a budget session held at the Theatre Institute in Chattogram. The corporation also approved a revised budget of Tk 16.66 billion (Tk 1,665.92 crore) for the 2025–26 fiscal year.

In his budget speech, the mayor said the city corporation's outstanding liabilities had fallen from Tk 596 crore when he assumed office to Tk 380 crore. During the current fiscal year, the corporation deposited Tk 47.73 crore in income tax and Tk 86.74 crore in VAT into the national treasury. He added that significant payments had also been made toward employee gratuity and provident funds, while efforts were underway to clear other outstanding obligations.

The mayor announced plans to build an international-standard hospital on an eight-acre CCC-owned site along the BFIDC Road through a land exchange arrangement with the Bangladesh Army. He also said the city corporation has identified 44 revenue-generating projects to strengthen its financial position.

Addressing property taxes, Shahadat said the city has introduced regular review boards to reassess holding taxes that were previously set at unreasonable levels. However, he emphasized that major organizations—including the Chattogram Port, Bangladesh Railway, container terminals, oil companies, and other large industrial and corporate entities—must pay their outstanding municipal taxes.

He also highlighted the financial burden caused by heavy port vehicles, noting that trucks carrying 20 to 35 tons regularly use roads designed for only 10 tons, forcing the city to spend an additional Tk 300–400 crore annually on road repairs.

To improve revenue collection, the mayor announced the launch of a modern digital platform for holding tax payments. The system will allow residents to pay taxes online while increasing transparency in tax assessment.

He said Chattogram has nearly one million businesses, but fewer than 150,000 currently hold trade licenses. The city plans to double the number of licensed businesses and intensify the collection of revenue from trade licenses and advertising fees, including from coaching centers and other commercial establishments.

On infrastructure, the mayor said the corporation has removed 4.1 million cubic feet of silt and waste from 19 canals and completed 148 drainage improvement projects. Another 200 projects are planned during the monsoon season to help reduce waterlogging. Larvicides have also been introduced as part of the city's mosquito control program.

The proposed budget also includes the construction of a modern waste treatment facility on a newly acquired 10-acre site in South Pahartali. Work is continuing on a new bus and truck terminal in Kulgaon, while Premier University has been brought back under the city corporation's administration and will now be managed through a board of trustees.

The budget session was chaired by Acting Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Ashraful Amin, with Chief Accounts Officer Humayun Kabir Chowdhury also in attendance.