Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Shahadat Hossain has warned illegal encroachers of city canals to vacate voluntarily or face legal action, as part of ongoing efforts to reduce waterlogging and restore natural drainage systems.
“Canal encroachers must leave voluntarily, otherwise legal action will be taken,” the mayor said while inaugurating dredging and restoration works of several canals in Ward No. 1 of South Pahartali area on Wednesday.
During the programme, he formally launched the excavation and restoration of Dholunia Dala Chhara, Khoshal Shah Chhara and Khogyachhara waterfalls.
The mayor said Chattogram’s canals and waterfalls are public assets, but encroachment and pollution have significantly worsened waterlogging in the city.
He added that illegal structures, including slabs built over canals, are obstructing cleaning and maintenance activities.
He said the city corporation is working to identify such obstructions and restore the canal network in a planned manner.
Ward-based assessments will be introduced to determine the causes of waterlogging and implement targeted solutions, he added.
Mayor Shahadat Hossain also said a development project proposal (DPP) is being prepared for 40 canals in the city, under which major waterfalls, including Khagriya Chhara and Khoshal Shah Chhara, will be included.
The proposed plan includes deepening canals, constructing retaining walls, removing illegal encroachments and building modern walkways along selected waterways.
Stressing the need to protect the Halda River, the mayor said its flow depends on the proper functioning of connected canals and waterfalls.
He noted that many waterways have become silted and lost navigability due to years of neglect.
“We want to restore these water channels in phases to permanently address waterlogging in Chattogram,” he said.
He also called on local residents to assist in monitoring development works to ensure quality implementation and urged collective efforts to build a clean and environmentally sustainable city.
CCC Chief Conservancy Officer Capt Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, officials, local representatives and political leaders were present.
