Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Shahadat Hossain has expressed optimism that 70 to 80 percent of the port city will be free from waterlogging during the upcoming monsoon season.
Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on Saturday, the Mayor said he remains hopeful regarding the city’s drainage challenges, although he acknowledged some concerns remain, particularly regarding tidal water levels which have not yet been fully managed.
The seminar, titled ‘Waterlogging in Chattogram City: Sources of the Crisis and Civic Responsibility’, was organised by the Chattogram Press Club and held at its July Biplob Smriti Hall.
Reflecting on recent years, Shahadat noted that areas like Bahaddarhat faced severe waterlogging between 2022 and 2024. However, he claimed the situation improved significantly in 2025, with residents in Muradpur, Mirzapur, and Chawkbazar no longer facing the same hardships.
The Mayor reaffirmed his commitment to public service, citing the demolition of a large market in Bahaddarhat built over a drain. Despite generating Tk 20 lakh in annual rent, the market’s removal was necessary to prevent water stagnation in the area.
Addressing climate change, the Mayor observed that the traditional six seasons of Bangladesh are no longer distinct, with monsoon-like rains now stretching from June to November. “We are preparing for a six-month-long rainy season,” he added.
Shahadat also criticised previous administrations, alleging that projects worth between Tk6,000 crore and Tk9,000 crore were initiated without involving the City Corporation, with the intent of “looting”. He claimed that due to a lack of internal capacity, these authorities were forced to hire the Army to execute the work.
However, he praised the integrity of the current Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) Chairman, Engineer Nurul Karim, for his dedication to the task.
During the seminar, Professor Manzurul Kibria, Vice-Chancellor of BGC Trust University, raised concerns about the management of large infrastructure projects. He pointed out that despite the allocation of Tk14,000 crore for waterlogging mitigation, no feasibility study had been conducted. He also claimed that instead of properly defining canal boundaries, the construction of walls had narrowed the channels, allowing for illegal encroachments.
Abu Sufian, Member of Parliament for Chattogram -9, stressed the importance of raising public awareness and urged for effective measures to reclaim canals and drains based on expert advice. He called for an end to waste dumping in the city’s drainage system.
Keynote papers were presented by Professor Al Amin, Dean of the Faculty of Science at Chittagong University; Professor Ayesha Khanam from Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET); and Professor Manzurul Kibria.
The event was also addressed by CDA Chairman Engineer Nurul Karim, urban planner Architect Jerina Hossain, Engineer Delwar Majumdar, Professor Sikandar Khan, Editor of Dainik Azadi M A Malek, Chittagong Press Club President Zahidul Karim Kochi, and General Secretary Golam Mowla Murad.
