Two additional projects are being prepared to address persistent waterlogging in Chattogram, with an initial estimated cost of Tk 3,871 crore. However, officials have indicated that the expenditure could rise once the ongoing feasibility studies and detailed project reports are finalised. The projects are expected to be implemented by the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC).
The proposed initiatives were presented at the CCC’s temporary headquarters in Tigerpass on Wednesday. The presentation outlined preliminary costs and work plans in the presence of Mayor Shahadat Hossain, engineering experts and city corporation officials. A consultancy firm is currently preparing the Pre-Development Project Proposals (PDPPs) for both schemes.
According to CCC engineers, the preliminary planning stage has been completed. The proposals will now be revised based on recommendations from specialists and engineers. Officials aim to finalise the Development Project Proposals (DPPs) within the current month before submitting them to the Ministry of Local Government. Following several approval stages, they hope the projects could reach the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval by December this year.
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Existing Waterlogging Projects
Chattogram is already implementing four major projects aimed at reducing urban flooding and drainage congestion. These projects, undertaken by different agencies, have been under implementation for between eight and ten years.
| Implementing Agency | Number of Projects |
|---|---|
| Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) | 2 |
| Chattogram City Corporation | 1 |
| Bangladesh Water Development Board | 1 |
The combined allocation for these four projects stands at Tk 14,389 crore. By March this year, Tk 10,408 crore had already been spent.
Maintenance Project for 36 Canals
One of the proposed projects focuses on the maintenance and rehabilitation of 36 canals currently included under the CDA’s ongoing waterlogging mitigation programme, which is being implemented by the Bangladesh Army’s 34 Engineer Construction Brigade.
The five-year maintenance scheme has been provisionally estimated at Tk 322.30 crore. Planned activities include canal re-excavation, dredging of accumulated silt, waste removal and transportation, procurement of equipment, protection of canal boundaries and environmental management measures.
The 36 canals have a combined length of 110.33 kilometres. Individual canal lengths range from approximately half a kilometre to six kilometres, while some are even longer. Current average depths vary between 0.8 metres and 2.5 metres. The project plans to remove approximately 1.6 million cubic metres of silt.
Officials have proposed spending Tk 112 crore during the first year alone. However, CCC Supervising Engineer Abu Sadat Mohammad Taiyab stated that the cost estimate would be reviewed again, noting that some expenditure heads may have been underestimated. He said the eventual cost could rise significantly, potentially reaching between Tk 1,000 crore and Tk 1,500 crore.
Development of 21 Additional Canals
The second project targets 21 canals that are not included in the current CDA scheme. These waterways have a combined length of 34.75 kilometres.
The preliminary cost for upgrading and rehabilitating these canals has been estimated at Tk 2,578 crore, while the broader project package has a proposed value of Tk 3,549 crore. Planned works include the construction of retaining walls along canal banks, installation of tidal regulators and pumping stations, relocation of utility pipelines, environmental management measures and urban beautification works.
A breakdown of key proposed expenditures is shown below:
| Component | Proposed Cost (Tk crore) |
|---|---|
| Land acquisition | 58 |
| Tidal regulators and pumping stations | 57 |
| Relocation of utility pipelines and road works | 37 |
| Environmental management and GIS activities | 53 |
| Beautification works | 77 |
Calls for a Broader Approach
Engineers Delwar Majumdar and Shahriar Khaled, who have long worked on Chattogram’s waterlogging issues, observed that additional canals remain outside the scope of the proposed 21-canal project. They argued that a comprehensive solution would require bringing those waterways under future development programmes as well.
Mayor Shahadat Hossain stated that improvements already completed should help make the current monsoon season comparatively more manageable for residents. However, he emphasised that long-term success depends on keeping canals functional, free from encroachment and properly maintained.
He further noted that Chattogram’s drainage challenges cannot be solved solely through canal cleaning or a limited number of projects. Instead, a comprehensive strategy is required that considers canals, drains, drainage channels, sluice gates, encroachment and the narrowing of waterways.
Regarding the canal maintenance project, the mayor said the current cost estimates require further review. He also suggested reassessing the proposed list of 21 canals, adding that canals not currently included should be incorporated after verification. According to him, the number of additional canals requiring consideration could be between 40 and 50 before a final list is prepared.