According to a report carried in this newspaper on Tuesday The Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) has decided to revise its project plan to prevent water logging in the port city after experts said it was “flawed”. The government has stated that the project should be implemented in an integrated manner. The LGRD, housing and public works, and water resources ministries, along with the CCC, would also be part of the project. The CDA would not bear the sole responsibility. We believe, taking into consideration the multi-dimensional nature of the problem, an integrated approach involving all stakeholders is needed.

The long-standing water-logging problem had now turned into a tragedy for the residents of Chittagong, the unofficial commercial capital of the country. Earlier this year, during the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods most of the port city went under knee- to waist-deep water. Over the years the situation has worsened as the remedial efforts of the Chittagong City Corporation and all other authorities concerned clearly look inadequate and ill-planned. The major cause of Chittagong's severe water-logging is its chocked-up network of 16 major canals which were supposed to flush out the rain water. The Chaktai Khal (canal) known as the sorrow of Chittagong creates immense problem to the residents of the port city Chittagong particularly during the rainy season following the overflow of the rain water. Chaktai Khal is one of the major reasons for unprecedented water-logging of the port city.

For decades the authorities concerned have not taken initiatives to clear these important canals and removed obstacles to ensure normal outflow of water. Adding to the woes is the absence of a well-knit underground drainage system. Like Dhaka in Chittagong too, the drainage system was developed on a piecemeal basis along with dangerously slow expansion to all directions. This problem should be strategically and realistically addressed.  By digging more canals, ponds, and by making rivers wide with diggers this steps will be effective for this water logging problem because by this the normal watery wastes as well as the rain water will be passing properly.  Another way to tackle the water logging problem as well as the ever decreasing levels of ground water could be rain water harvesting, a technology that has been used in these parts of the world for hundreds of years but which fell into oblivion during the colonial rule.

The authorities must ensure quality work and common people should also be incorporated to play the role of watchdog in this regard.