Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Advisor Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, spoke at a meeting with officials of the relevant departments to resolve waterlogging in Chittagong city at the Chittagong Circuit House conference room today. Photo: BSS

CHATTOGRAM, March 8, 2025 (BSS) - Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser
Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan today inaugurated the much-awaited Mahesh Khal excavation
work adjacent to Thanda Mia Bridge of Abidar Para in the city’s south Agrabad area.
 
The canal excavation work is part of interim government’s priority initiative to free the port city
from perennial water logging that causes untold sufferings to the city dwellers every year besides
suffering economic losses.  
 
“The initiative must be made successful through voluntary activities with the increasing
participation of city dwellers under the leadership of city mayor and other political parties. In
addition, joint efforts of various organizations are needed to resolve water logging in
Chattogram,” the adviser said while speaking as chief guest at the inaugural function.
 
The adviser said the water logging problem may not be completely over by next monsoon. But
there will be significant improvement. Work will be done to solve this problem in coordination
with the Water Development Board, WASA, City Corporation and all related organizations.
 
He said desired results have not been achieved from Mahesh khal despite spending thousands of
crores of taka for renovation of the canal.
 
The adviser said there have been many allegations of irregularities in projects that were
implemented and taken in past regime. The Anti-Corruption Commission will look into these
issues.
 
“Our job is to cooperate with the City Corporation and other organizations in resolving water
logging,” he added.
 
He said the load shedding situation will be dealt and determined depending on the level of heat
and the power generation system.
 
“The government is working to increase LNG imports, repair transformers and improve power
supply. A balance system will be maintained between cities and villages in terms of power
distribution. Misuse of electricity must be prevented. Illegal connections must be stopped. Air
conditioners should be kept at 25 degrees Celsius or above, which will help save electricity,” he
said.
 
City Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain said, "If someone has built a building where there is a drain, it
must be removed. We are working and will continue to work for the interest of the people. The
restoration and renovation of the canals in the city is underway. In addition, the cleaning of
1,600 kilometers of drains has started and will continue. We hope that the work of freeing the
city from  water logging will be completed between March and June next year”.
 
Divisional Commissioner Dr. Md. Ziauddin, Chairman of CDA Engineer Md. Nourul Karim,
Chief Executive Officer of CCC Sheikh Muhammad Touhidul Islam, Deputy Commissioner
Farida Khanam, Chief Conservancy Officer of CCC Commander Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed
Chowdhury, Director of CDA's Canal Excavation Project Lieutenant Colonel Ferdous Ahmed
among others, attended the function.
 
After the inauguration, the delegation led by adviser visited various important points including
Birja Canal and  East Gate of Chattogram Medical College.