Posted on February 18, 2025
After a nine-month hiatus, the dredging work of Jamal Khan Canal in Chattogram city resumed in the end of January.
The canal’s excavation is crucial part of a mega project being implemented by the Chattogram Development Authority to mitigate the city’s waterlogging woes.
However, resumption of the excavation work has brought immense sufferings to over a hundred families residing on Hem Sen Lane in the Jamal Khan area.
The locality has become waterlogged after an earthen dam was built within the canal, restricting its water flow, and thereby causing inundation in the adjacent areas.
The water could be drained out through large pipes under the dam so that it does not accumulate and inundate adjacent areas, said Delwar Majumder, former president of Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh, Chattogram.
Farhana Akter, a resident, said, “Since February 5, we are being compelled to go through the filthy water every day.”
Ali Akbar, another resident, said, “After the earth was piled up within the canal adjacent to our residences, water started accumulating and soon overflowed the canal to submerge the adjacent areas.”
A similar situation prevailed in some other areas, including Sholoshahar, Bakalia and Bahaddarhat.
The CDA launched the Tk 5,617 crore project in July 2017 to tackle the persistent waterlogging. Initially slated for completion by June 2020, the project faced significant delays.
The project is now expected to be completed by June 2026, while the revised budget ballooned to Tk 8,626.62 crore.
Contacted, Lt Col Ferdous Ahmed, the project director, said, “The work procedure involved water diversion to be carried out by the local contractors. However, something has gone wrong. The contractors have yet to identify the shortfall. We are investigating the matter.”
