C T Online Desk: The Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) undertook the Chittagong Waterlogging Removal Project (CWRP) four years ago at a cost of Tk5,616 crore. However, the residents are yet to get any relief as the project is yet lagging.
The project includes removal of soil from 36 canals, acquisition of 6,516 kathas of land, construction of new 85.68 km of roads and 176 km of RCC retaining wall, replacement of 48 PC girder bridges, three reservoirs for flood water conservation, replacement of six RCC culverts, construction of five tidal regulators, setup of 42 silt traps, and building of 200 cross drain culverts are all part of the project.
In addition, the extension of 15.50 km of roadside drains, 880 street lights, 92 utility lines and relocation of 2,000 electric pools is also part of the project.
haka TribuneWhile people familiar with the project claim that the work is 70% complete, experts are of the view that improper planning is rendering the project useless.
As the torrential downpour continued, the port city’s alleys and sub-lanes were submerged in knee-deep water starting Wednesday.
The suffering of locals and pedestrians knew no end as they struggled to navigate through the waterlogged city.
“It is expected to happen if a project is undertaken without conducting a feasibility study,” says urban planner and architect Jerina Hossain.
“Is it possible to eliminate waterlogging just by starting the project? Planning will never be able to prevent waterlogging,” she said.
She added that the DPP of the waterlogging elimination project contains inconsistencies and it is necessary to publish the technical report of the work done so far.
According to her, the canals are full of garbage and the water from the Karnaphuli River that enters the city does not leave.
“In a nutshell, the project is not moving forward in terms of technical sound processing. Cleaning the sewers and extending the roads will not be enough to prevent flooding,” she said, adding that now is the time for the proper implementation of the project.
“City dwellers will not be rid of the curse of waterlogging soon if this does not change,” according to Jerin.
On the other hand, Project Director Lt Col Shah Ali says: “We are doing our best to implement the waterlogging project. Since the project, approximately 70% of the construction work has been completed.”
According to him, 85 km drains, 54 bridges, and culverts have been built on the various canals in the city.
Moreover, 13.05 km of road have been built along the canal banks, out of a total length of 85.68 km while a total of 12 of the 36 canals have been excavated.
“The project’s construction of five sluice gates is approaching completion. I’m hoping to be able to open everything by July of next year,” he said.
The project director further said that the construction of a retaining wall and three reservoirs on both banks of the canal is the most important part of the project which will require 6,516 kathas of land which the CDA is yet to acquire.
“We will be able to complete the project sooner if the CDA acquires these lands as soon as possible. The city people will benefit from this initiative after the rest of the project is done,” he said.
According to the development authority, ECNEC conditionally approved the project’s re-excavation, expansion, renovation and development to ease waterlogging in Chittagong city at a cost of Taka 5,616 crore on August 9, 2016.
On April 9, 2018, the CDA and the Army signed a memorandum of agreement to carry out the project. The army’s 34th Engineering Construction Brigade began construction on April 28 of the same year.
The project was expected to be finished by 2020. However, it was pushed back due to a variety of factors, including the Covid situation resulting in the project’s term being extended.
