BELA urges mayor to modify, implement master plan

Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) yesterday stressed the need for modifying and implementing Chittagong city's master plan to solve the waterlogging problem.

At a mass hearing organised by BELA in a local hotel with civil society members and affected residents, Chief Executive Rizwana Hasan of the association urged Chittagong City Corporation's (CCC) mayor to develop an action plan and form a committee in every ward with locals and experts for ensuring proper action.

At the event titled "Requisites for addressing waterlogging in Chittagong city", town planner Subhash Barua suggested construction of a water reservoir with a capacity of 3,500 crore litres in Bhatiari-Sitakunda area to end waterlogging. 

Prof Sikandar Khan, East Delta University's vice-chancellor, mentioned that the problem has become acute due to unplanned development.

Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin noted that CCC cannot do many things due to a lack of coordination with Chittagong Development Authority.

He, however, said, "We are conducting campaigns to make the residents aware of dumping wastes in particular places, instead of discarding those at random, till December 31, and will start taking action against the offenders from January 1, 2016, to prevent the drains and canals from being clogged."

Former president of Institution of Engineers, Chittagong Delwar Hossain Majumder presented the keynote paper at the event.