Despite more than Tk 10,000 crore already being spent on ongoing flood-mitigation initiatives, two additional projects are being prepared to address persistent waterlogging in Chattogram city. The preliminary estimated cost of the proposed schemes stands at Tk 3,871 crore, although officials acknowledge that the figure could increase once feasibility studies and detailed project assessments are completed. The projects are expected to be implemented by Chattogram City Corporation (CCC).
The two initiatives were presented on Wednesday at the City Corporation’s temporary headquarters in Tigerpass. The meeting was attended by Mayor Shahadat Hossain, engineering experts and CCC officials. A consultancy firm is currently preparing the Pre-Development Project Proposals (PDPPs) for both schemes.
According to City Corporation engineers, the initial groundwork for the projects has been completed. The proposals will now be revised based on recommendations from specialists and technical experts. Officials aim to finalise the Development Project Proposals (DPPs) within the current month before submitting them to the Ministry of Local Government. Following several stages of review and approval, they hope the projects could be placed before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) by December this year.
Existing Waterlogging Projects
Chattogram currently has four major waterlogging-related projects under implementation. These projects, managed by different agencies, have been underway for between eight and ten years.
Implementing Agency
Number of Projects
Chattogram Development Authority (CDA)
2
Chattogram City Corporation
1
Bangladesh Water Development Board
1
Total
4
The combined cost of these ongoing projects is Tk 14,389 crore. By March this year, Tk 10,408 crore had already been spent.
Maintenance Project for 36 Canals
One of the newly proposed projects focuses on the maintenance and rehabilitation of 36 canals already covered under the CDA’s ongoing waterlogging programme, which is being implemented by the Bangladesh Army’s 34 Engineer Construction Brigade.
The proposed five-year project has an estimated cost of Tk 322.30 crore. Planned activities include canal re-excavation, dredging and sediment removal, waste clearance and transportation, procurement of equipment, protection of canal boundaries and environmental management measures.
The 36 canals have a combined length of 110.33 kilometres, ranging from approximately half a kilometre to six kilometres in length, with some extending beyond that. Their current average depth varies from 0.8 metres to 2.5 metres. Project planners estimate that about 1.6 million cubic metres of sediment will be removed during implementation. Expenditure of Tk 112 crore is planned in the first year alone.
However, CCC Superintending Engineer Abu Sadat Mohammad Tayyab said the budget would be reviewed again. He noted that while some expenditure categories had been included, others were either omitted or allocated insufficient funds. As a result, he believes the eventual project cost could rise substantially, potentially reaching between Tk 1,000 crore and Tk 1,500 crore.
Development of 21 Additional Canals
A second project has been proposed for 21 canals that are not included in the current CDA programme. These canals have a combined length of 34.75 kilometres.
The estimated cost of this project is Tk 3,549 crore, of which Tk 2,578 crore has been earmarked for canal improvement and rehabilitation works. Retaining walls will be constructed along both sides of the canals.
The proposed expenditure breakdown includes:
Component
Estimated Cost (Tk crore)
Land acquisition
58
Tidal regulators and pump stations
57
Relocation of utility pipelines and road works
37
Environmental management and GIS activities
53
Beautification works
77
Engineers Delowar Majumdar and Shahriar Khaled, who have worked extensively on Chattogram’s waterlogging challenges, observed that additional canals remain outside the scope of the proposed 21-canal project. They argued that a comprehensive solution would require the inclusion of all remaining canals in future interventions.
Mayor Shahadat Hossain said the city is expected to experience comparatively improved conditions during the current monsoon because of progress made under ongoing works. Nevertheless, he stressed that reducing waterlogging requires canals to remain functional, free from encroachment and properly maintained.
He further stated that Chattogram’s drainage challenges cannot be resolved merely through canal cleaning or a handful of individual projects. A complete solution must consider canals, drains, culverts, sluice gates, encroachment, narrowing of waterways and other interconnected factors. The mayor also called for a reassessment of both proposed projects, noting that additional canals not currently listed should be included. According to him, the number of canals requiring consideration could ultimately reach between 40 and 50, subject to further verification and review.
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