Chattogram Bureau :
The Cabinet Division has directed to investigate the incidents of one death after another falling into open drains and canals along various roads of the city due to waterlogging caused during the rains.
The letter sent to the Chittagong Divisional Commissioner described the incident as “tragic” and asked to investigate who was responsible and send a report to the Cabinet Division.
A seven-member investigation committee headed by Additional Divisional Commissioner (Development) of Chittagong Mohammad Mizanur Rahman has been formed on October 2.
The committee includes representatives of CMP Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, Secretary of CDA, Chief Engineer of Water Development Board, Chief Engineer of Chittagong City Corporation and Director of Canal Re-excavation, Expansion and Development Project to alleviate water logging in Chittagong city.
The committee will meet on Thursday (October 14) to find out the cause of the incident, sources said. Meanwhile, a letter was sent to Chittagong City Corporation and CDA on Sunday (October 10) regarding the formation and meeting of the inquiry committee.
Sheherin Mahmud Sadia, 19, a student of the International Islamic University, died on September 26 after slipping on the sidewalk in the Agrabad Mazar Gate area of the city. Earlier on August 25, vegetable seller Saleh Ahmed slipped and drowned in a drain in Muradpur area. After much searching, he was not found. On June 30, the driver and a passenger died when an autorickshaw fell into the Chashma canal in the Mayor’s lane area. After these incidents, the authorities set up a temporary security cordon at the scene by pulling ropes or using bamboo. On September 29, a report was published in a portal under the headline ‘No one wants to take responsibility for negligence’.
