Posted on July 3, 2018
Khulna City Corporation (KCC) has undertaken a Tk 843.84 crore project, aiming to solve the city’s perennial waterlogging crisis.
A project proposal — “Drainage system development project for resolving waterlogging in KCC” — was sent to the local government ministry on Tuesday for approval.
The project works include dredging nine rivers, including the Mayur and renovating its banks, reconstructing eight sluice gates, constructing large drains (62km) and small ones (128km) on both sides of nine major city roads.
Under the project, three bridges will be constructed over the Mayur river.
KCC Chief Planning Officer Abirul Jabbar said a Tk 100 crore project was taken earlier to end the waterlogging problem. Later, some additional works were included as per the directives of the newly-elected mayor.
Sources at the KCC said the city dwellers have long been demanding a solution to the waterlogging problem and a project was taken in 2013 to meet their demand.
Under the project, the dredging works of 12 rivers was done. But the Mayur got silted up again within two years for various irregularities in the works, resulting in waterlogging in the city.
Under the new project, Tk 240 crore will be allocated for the construction of primary drains (62km) while Tk 451 crore for the construction of secondary drains (128km).
Besides, the project works include dredging works of the Mayur and seven canals involving Tk 30.66 crore.
KCC Executive Engineer Mashiuzzaman Khan said the project was taken under a master plan, and there will be no waterlogging on its completion.
Mayor Talukdar Abdul Khalek said, “Though I’ll take over on September 26, I’m trying to have Ecnec okay the project.”
Source: The Daily Star
