Chittagong's sad tale
Do we really understand the meaning of equality and human rights? If we do, then why are the people of Chittagong facing the danger of being washed away and thrown into the drains, or falling into manhole and being lost forever during a heavy shower? The reason is lack of proper drainage system. The very well known 'Chaktai Khal'and a number of other less known khals have been occupied, of course illegally and filled up by sand coming down from the innumerable hills cut down by land grabbers. So long we have been living in a fool's paradise. Every year during the rainy season we hear that a sizeable fund has been made available and very soon the 'Chaktai Khal' will be dredged and the drains from all around the city leading to the 'Khal' cleared, which will stop water logging in the city. Alas! Nothing has been done and the situation has gone from bad to worse. Main areas of the city go under water and the ground floor of houses and shops are inundated.
There is no compensation, because some are clever enough to call it natural calamity. Sorry, I just do to not agree. It is man-made calamity and not natural calamity. Luxurious apartments are being built and cement mixture and mosaic scrapings are washed into the city drains where it settles and hardens thus reducing their carrying capacity. Now, can we honestly blame nature for this? Hills have been cut thoughtlessly, opening the door to erosion. Hundreds of tons of soil are washed away by rain filling up the drainage system. Again, will you blame nature for this?
This is my earnest request to those who have the authority, to take planned measures for saving and improving the drainage system (not only the Chaktai Khal) of Chittagong before the advent of the next rainy season. Otherwise, there will be no end to the sufferings of the people living in this city.
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