A solution for Chittagong

It is good to see illegal structures along Chaktai canal in Chittagong being taken down by the authorities, as the damage they are causing to the port city are all too apparent.

Chittagong, just like Dhaka, has been suffering from a never-ending water-logging problem, and the main culprits of this problem are the more than 1,500 illegal structures in the city that obstruct the free flow of water -- these structures include concrete buildings, shanties, tin-shed houses, graveyards, and crematoriums.

Our second-most populous city, and trading hub, is particularly vulnerable to water-logging, with around a third of the district of Chittagong going under water during the monsoon each year, while parts of the city get flooded during high tides even when there is no rain.

Of course, while illegal encroachments constitute a large part of the problem, there is more to the whole picture.

Our cities are fitted with faulty and outdated drainage systems; furthermore, waste disposal is an issue that needs to be addressed without delay, as plastic waste matter in particular is rarely disposed of properly, usually being thrown out on to the street -- this plastic then goes on to clog up our drains, leaving with the water with no place to move to.

The authorities have made assurances that the problem in Chittagong is being taken seriously, with the government undertaking a Tk1,620 crore project to tackle the problem of water-logging, address flood control, and improve drainage facilities. 

We hope this money is put to good use, so that our port city can function to its full potential, not just commercially, but in terms of the quality of people’s lives.