Staff Reporter:
Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain has anticipated that the port city will remain 70% to 80% free from waterlogging during the upcoming monsoon season.
He made the remarks while addressing at a seminar as the chief guest at the July Revolution Memorial Hall of Chattogram Press Club on Saturday.
The seminar, titled “Waterlogging in Chattogram City: Sources of the Crisis and Civic Responsibility,” was organised by the Chattogram Press Club.
Local daily Azadi Editor MA Malek inaugurated the seminar chaired by Chattogram Press Club President Zahidul Karim Kochi.
Member of Parliament from Chattogram-9 Abu Sufian and Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Nurul Karim also attended the event as special guests.
In his speech, Shahadat said, “We are much more confident this year compared to previous years. City residents have already witnessed improvements in waterlogging in 2025 compared to 2023-2024.”
He noted that water no longer accumulates in Bahaddarhat after a market built by encroaching canal was demolished.
“Although tidal water is beyond our control, we have taken maximum preparation to ensure the drainage of rainwater. CCC has been working continuously to tackle the six-month challenge from June to November,” he added.
Speaking at the seminar, MP Sufian said that alongside infrastructural development, public awareness was also crucial to solving the city’s waterlogging problem.
“Strict measures will be taken based on expert recommendations to free canals and drains from encroachment,” he said.
Dean of Science Faculty at University of Chittagong (CU) Prof Dr Al Amin and Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology Professor Ayesha Khanam presented keynote papers at the seminar, while BGC Trust University Vice Chancellor Dr Manzoorul Kibria took part in the discussion.
Among others, Premier University Vice Chancellor Prof SM Nasrul Qadir, former general secretary of Chattogram city BNP Abul Hashem Bakkar and urban planner Delwar Majumdar also spoke at the event.
