City Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain inaugurating in cleaning and excavation work of Chaktai Diversion Canal (Birjakhal-Bou Bazar) Photo: BSS

CHATTOGRAM, Mar 10, 2025 (BSS) - Terming illegal occupation of canal’s land as a big problem in Chattogram, City Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain said the canal excavation work will continue to resolve water-logging in in the port city.

“Some buildings have been built grabbing the land of canals, which have been blocking the normal flow of water. I want to make it clear, if there is any illegal structure on the land of canals to reduce the suffering of the people, we will demolish it. As our main goal is to free the city residents from water-logging,” he added.
 
Dr Shahdat said it while inaugurating cleaning and excavation work of Chaktai Diversion Canal (Birjakhal-Bou Bazar) of Ward No. 19 in city’s Baklia area.

The city mayor said Birjakhal is no longer a canal, it has become like a dustbin. 

“The canal has almost disappeared due to not cleaning it. The locals complain that during rains in monsoon, water accumulates from waist to neck. This is a terrible situation. The locals want to know how they can get rid of this water-logging. I want to assure you that we are taking all kinds of initiatives so that the city residents can get rid of this misery quickly,” he added.
 
 He said “As the mayor, my main focus at present is to reduce water-logging in port city, especially in the low-lying areas.” 

“Our main goal now is to eliminate water-logging and provide some relief to the people. Our cleaning activities have been going on for three-four months, and every canal is being brought under the purview of cleaning,” he said.
 
 He also said, “The water-logging relief project under the CDA is not concluding this year. This project will be completed by June-July next year.”
 
Chief Cleaning Officer Commander Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Deputy Chief Cleaning Officer Pranab Sharma, Mayor's Personal Assistant Maruful Haque Chowdhury were, among others, present on the occasion.