CCC to recover 21 grabbed canals to solve waterlogging

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) will excavate and recover all 21 canals to solve the water logging.

The CCC took the decision to excavate and recover the canals which were occupied by illegal occupiers. Meanwhile, the CCC will appoint a consultant firm to recover the canals. Chief Engineer of CCC Engineer Rafiqul Islam said, "CCC called tender for submitting DPP of 21 canals on August 23 in 2022 last. A total of 10 firms participated in the tender process. Recently, the CCC made a short list of four firms. However, the CCC will finalize the firm next week."

He said, "The consultant firm will submit the DPP with all information of 21 canals which disappeared earlier."

Sources said, there were total 57 canals in Chattogram. Of the total canals, under the mega-project implementing by Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) and Bangladesh Army, the authorities have been working on a total of 36 canals which disappeared partially or totally earlier.

According to recent survey conducted by CCC and local administration and land office, canals of Chattogram are disappearing gradually due to illegal occupation by land grabbers. The survey revealed that the land grabbers are involved in occupying land by filling up water bodies and canals. The CCC itself and some housing companies are allegedly involved in constructing buildings, educational institutions and business establishments illegally. According to the survey, the joint team identified 2221 people and enlisted their names for illegally occupying 39 canals but the CCC would not take any steps yet to evict them from illegal occupation.

CCC Mayor Alhaj Rezaul Karim Chowdhury directed the department concerned to take effective steps to start digging all 21 canals as early as possible.

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