Waterlogging in port city
Unplanned development main reason: Experts
shamsuddin iLlius, Ctg
Most parts of the port city get submerged even after a mild drizzle, with rain water and tidal water combining to create deep pools on the streets. Experts say that the unplanned development violating the 22-year-long master plan and detailed area plan (DAP) may soon turn Chittagong into a city not fit for human habitation.
Were likely to face the consequences of unplanned development soon, Forum for Planned Chittagong vice-president Subash Barua told The Independent.
The master plan, which was designed in 1995, includes all the plans relating to flood and traffic systems. But it has been ignored. It proposed how to deal with the increasing population. But this plan has been ignored, he said.
We recommended formation of the Chittagong Planning and Development Authority (CPDA) instead of the Chittagong Development Authority (CDA). Our proposal was also ignored, he also said.
There is no one in the CDA for planning. Its chief is neither a planner nor an engineer. Its not implementing the priority projects, but somehow non-priority projects are being implemented, he added.
Barua also raised questions about building flyovers in Chittagong. Flyovers being built in an unplanned manner is only aggravating the current situation. They dont ease traffic congestion and eat into the space for city roads, he said.
If the unplanned development goes on unhindered, Chittagong will soon become a city not fit for human habitation. The current situation doesnt gurantee a future for us. We dont have any urban planning, he added.
The experts recommend an urban planning cell to design development works in Chittagong. They also recommend excavating the city canals and removing illegal structures from their bakns.
Prof. Sikandar Khan, vice-chancellor of East Delta University, said: The master plan is being ignored and unplanned development is going on. The CDA has disregarded the BRT (bus rapid transit) and MRT (mass rapid transit) of the master plan when building the flyovers. No flyover was supposed to be built in Chittagong till 2015, but the CDA started constructing flyovers here in 2010. However, these flyovers are not being used these days.
Flyovers are not suitable for Chittagong. The money being spent for flyovers is not being spent in the right places. To ease waterlogging, the city canals need to be excavated. Removal of illegal structures on the banks of the canals is also necessary, he added.
Khan alleged that the Chittagong Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (CWASA) has failed to implement a proper sewerage system in Chittagong. Only planned development can save the city, he said.
When asked, CDA chairman Abdus Salam, said all the projects have been taken following the master plan designed in 1995. The flyovers are contributing to easing traffic congestion in Chittagong city, he added.
Salam, however, termed the waterlogging as the perennial curse of Chittagong.
He said the canals and drains have to be excavated to prevent waterlogging. Weve taken a project worth Tk. 2,030 crore to build an 8-km-long road in Chaktai Khal to Kalurghat. There will be 12 sluice gates and water pumps to remove rain water. This is going to stop waterlogging in the city to some extent. Were also considering a project to excavate the city canals and it will be forwarded to the ministry concerned, he added.
