Govt bodies' coordination urgent to end port city's waterlogging

Experts at a seminar in Chittagong yesterday suggested that the concerned government bodies coordinate their activities to address the city's waterlogging problem.

To fight the problem effectively, the speakers have underscored the need for regular cleaning of existing roadside drains, construction of new drains, re-excavation of khals (canals), construction of retaining wall, removal of encroachment, and realignment of service lines.

Young Engineers Forum, Bangladesh, organised the seminar on "Formulation of sewerage and drainage master plan to address the water-logging of Chittagong" at the Institution of Engineers in the city.

Prof Sudip Kumar Paul of Civil Engineering Department of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet), and Engr Md Humayun Kabir, former chief engr of Bangladesh Water Development Board, presented two keynote papers each.

Mentionable, Chittagong Wasa, in cooperation of World Bank, is formulating a "sewerage and drainage master plan" to address the waterlogging in the city. By this time, a draft of the master plan was already formulated.  Discussion on the draft of the master plan was held at the seminar. 

Speaking as the chief guest, Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin termed the waterlogging of the city a tough and costly problem.

“If we fail to take plan and effective measures right now to address the problem, Chittagong city will go under water in future,” he added.

But, before formulation of the master plan by Wasa, the exact number of the population of Chittagong city have to be estimated, the mayor said, adding that the plan would foil otherwise.

Prof Rafiqul Alam, vice-chancellor of Cuet; Prof Md Jahangir Alam, former VC of Cuet; Chittagong Wasa Managing Director Engr AKM Fazlullah, and CCC Chief Engr Lt Col Mohiuddin Ahamed spoke at the seminar chaired by Engr Rajib Barua, president of Young Engineers Forum.