Canals being cleaned to ease waterlogging
A month-long cleaning and sanitation operation is continuing in full swing at the canals of Barishal city.
"Objects blocking the canals' flow will be removed and some portions will be dug through this initiative," said Dr Rabiul Islam, conservancy officer of Barishal City Corporation and in-charge of the large-scale operation.
"We are going to clean all the drains and at least six major canals flowing into the city area, and also recover grabbed portions of the canals," he explained.
City corporation sources said the clean-up programme was inaugurated on April 26, at Chaumatha point of Nabgram canal by BCC Mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah.
BCC authorities said the programme has been undertaken to prevent waterlogging in the city during the coming monsoon season.
The cleaning operation will be carried out in the main canals of the city -- lakutia, jail canal, amanatganj, sagardi and nabagram canals.
Dr Rabiul Islam said, "In an earlier survey, there were 46 canals under BCC. But at least half of those have been lost due to pollution or illegal land grabbing. BCC had proposed a project to beautify and restore this canal about two years ago, but it has not yet been approved by the ministry concerned."
According to sources within the city corporation office, the project was revised and re-submitted over one year ago and would cost around Tk 2,700 core, but it is still pending with the local government ministry.
BCC Mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah said, "There was severe waterlogging in Barishal city last year. We are keeping the canals clean in advance so that people do not have to suffer during the monsoon. This is being funded by BCC."
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