Belayet Hossain, newly appointed chairman of Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), has announced that three major projects along the banks of the Karnaphuli River will be completed before December.
The projects are waterlogging mitigation project, elevated expressway project, and Kalurghat‑to‑Chaktai link road project.
He said the prime minister will inaugurate the projects in December, but city residents will begin to benefit even earlier.
The CDA chairman made the remarks on Wednesday morning during a familiarisation meeting with CDA officials at the conference room. Earlier, he joined office at 9am on his first working day, receiving floral greetings from CDA officers and staff.
At the meeting, Chairman Belayet Hossain said CDA is a symbol of the hopes and aspirations of Chattogram’s people. His goal, he added, is to overcome obstacles and transform the port city into an aesthetic urban centre, stressing that officials’ cooperation and sincerity are essential.
“Most CDA officials are from Chattogram, so they have a responsibility to the district. Citizens have high expectations of CDA. We must work not only as government officials but with a mindset to serve the city. This city is ours, this city is mine and yours — so the responsibility is ours,” he said.
He pledged to finish ongoing projects quickly, especially the waterlogging mitigation and elevated expressway projects, acknowledging the challenge but committing to inspect them soon.
On corruption, he said, “I will not be involved in corruption, and I urge you to keep corruption miles away. I must fulfill my commitment to the Prime Minister.”
He noted that PDB pillars often obstruct CDA’s development work and said he would raise the issue. He added that Chattogram City Corporation is hardly engaged with CDA, but their cooperation is needed.
The CDA chairman also promised to consult all Members of Parliament, since they are elected by the people and maintain regular public contact even if citizens do not directly engage with CDA.
Issuing a warning on illegal encroachment, he said: “No matter how powerful the leader, if there is illegal occupation, eviction and action will follow. I will not tolerate construction on canals or drains through encroachment. There will be no leniency in occupying government land.”
He urged CDA officials to dedicate their talent and labor to the city’s development and instructed them to provide accurate information to the media to avoid misconceptions. “There must be no negligence in fulfilling responsibilities or supplying factual information,” he said.
Belayet further emphasised citizen cooperation in following CDA’s building designs. “Citizens must adhere to CDA’s approved designs. Officials must ensure nothing is built outside CDA’s plans. If ten buildings are constructed properly but one violates rules, the beauty of the whole area is ruined,” he said.
Present at the meeting were full‑time member Mohammad Nurullah Nuri, Chief Engineer Ahmed Anwarul Nazrul, Secretary Mohammad Mahbubul Karim, and other senior officials.
