Chattogram, Oct 9 (V7N) – Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said the government decided to build up the port city under a comprehensive plan to develop it as a regional economic hub and an aesthetically pleasing city as well.
"Obviously, the persistent water logging problem in this important city of the country shall be mitigated through formulating visionary and pragmatic projects side by side elevating the city in such a height so that citizens can live here in a soothing atmosphere," the minister said while speaking as chief guest at a wide-ranging review meeting on the port city's water logging mitigation, canal excavation and maintenance projects here today.
Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) arranged the meeting at the CCC conference room on Friday afternoon with CCC Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain in the chair.The finance minister said a habitable metropolis must have green space, walkway and cycle track so that inhabitants live in a healthy and hygienic environment. "Piecemeal and haphazard schemes never bring sustainable solution. Civic interest and greater welfare, long-term positive outcome and impact on environment side by side multilateral benefits should be taken into account before formulating any project in future," Amir Khosru said.
He advised the officials concerned to incorporate the concept of having three components—walkway on both sides of canals, water drainage facilities and bicycle tracks—in the project to be taken for solving water logging and canal maintenance. The Finance Minister also called for plantation of trees on available spaces on banks of the river and canals for promotion of the environment in line with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's countrywide massive tree plantation programme.
He called upon all stakeholders to work in a coordinated manner in finding a lasting solution to the city flash floods that cause misery to the city dwellers each year along with considerable economic loss. Inter-departmental coordination saves project time, misuse or excess expenditure and ensures maximum benefits of the project, Khosru said.
Disclosing the government's long-term and comprehensive plan centring the seaport, deep-sea port, airport, exclusive economic zones and surrounding potential sectors of the port city, the minister said, "We are marching forward with the visionary planning to turn the city as an economic hub of the region."
City Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain said CCC is working hand in hand with all government organisations and utility service providers to free the city from water congestion. Referring to the country's first bicycle track inaugurated at the city's Patenga area today, the CCC mayor said CCC has a plan to develop more such tracks side by side walkways on both sides of canal and river banks to turn the port city into a smart, healthy, modern and green city.
Brigade Colonel Mohsinul Haq Chowdhury, director of the mega project taken for resolving water logging problems of the city, briefed the meeting over the progress of the project. He stated that physical work of the nearly Tk 8,000 crore project is nearing completion as necessary dredging, excavation, recovery and construction of retaining walls of 31 out of 36 canals under the scheme have already been done. Work on the rest of the five retaining walls will be completed by next February, he said, adding that the canals for future maintenance and repair work are to be handed over to CCC from next March.
He said about 5,500 illegal structures were demolished while implementing the project, reducing the number of water logging areas to 13 in 2025 from 113 in past years.
CCC officials informed the meeting that they have identified 130 canals in the city and plans are underway to recover and re-excavate the canals. CCC needs at least Tk 9,000 crore to execute its projects involving 41 canals in the first phase.
Alhaj Ershad Ullah MP and Abu Sufian MP—both advisers of the CCC's water logging mitigation and canal excavation programme—also spoke at the function. Heads and representatives from all utility service providing organisations, relevant government bodies, and civil administration attended the meeting. CDA Chairman Eng. Belayet Hossain, Wasa Managing Director Eng Selim Jane Alam and Deputy Commissioner Zahidul Islam Meah spoke, among others, at the meeting.
