Chattogram Bureau :
Although 54 new bridges and culverts have been constructed on various canals of the city at a cost of over Tk 100 crore, the waterlogging crisis is not being resolved as the canals are filling up. The bridge culverts, which have become a hindrance to the city’s drainage, have been raised four to six feet, but the drainage is being hampered by the filling of the lower canal. However, it is hoped that the excavation of the canals will be completed and the bridge will be elevated.
According to the concerned sources, Chittagong metropolis is in the grip of terrible waterlogging. Extensive areas of the city were submerged in light rains. . An example of boating on the city’s highways has already been witnessed . To alleviate waterlogging, CDA is implementing a mega project titled ‘Chittagong Metropolitan Canal Re-excavation, Expansion and Reform and Development Project ‘.
During the survey of the project, which started in 2016, the city was blamed for the waterlogging of the canals as well as the bridges over the canals. Under these bridges are the gas & water pipelines. . Rainwater drainage is severely disrupted under these low-height bridges.
After identifying the issue, it was decided to renovate, excavate and widen 36 canals of the city and demolish 54 bridges and culverts on these canals. In light of this decision, each bridge and culvert was demolished and rebuilt four to six feet high. Construction of each of the 54 bridges culverts has already been completed. But the benefits do not match. As the lower canals were filled, there was no movement in drainage.
