The move comes as city authorities strengthen coordination to ensure faster water drainage and minimise public suffering following days of heavy rainfall in Chattogram.

ILIAS RIPON, CTG Mail Report | Chattogram | July 8, 2026

The Bangladesh Army has been assigned responsibility for operating and monitoring 39 regulators across Chattogram city to accelerate water drainage and reduce public suffering caused by waterlogging, Chairman of the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), Engineer Belayet Hossain, said on Wednesday.

The announcement came after the CDA chairman inspected several waterlogged areas and ongoing development projects in different parts of the city following days of heavy rainfall that inundated roads and low-lying neighbourhoods.

Speaking to journalists after the inspection, Belayet Hossain said coordinated efforts among all relevant agencies are essential to effectively tackle Chattogram’s long-standing waterlogging problem.

He said the city has recently experienced significant rainfall, but water in many locations was receding more quickly than in previous years due to progress made under the ongoing drainage improvement projects.

According to the CDA chairman, major improvements have already been completed under the city’s canal restoration and drainage development initiatives. Out of 36 canals under the CDA’s supervision, work on 30 canals has already been completed.

He added that construction work on another five canals has reached approximately 98 percent completion, while development work on the Hijra Canal has progressed by around 68 percent.

“The performance of the canal network during the recent rainfall indicates that the infrastructure improvements are beginning to produce visible results,” he said.

However, he noted that several areas continue to experience temporary waterlogging due to restrictions in water flow and operational limitations in drainage control systems.

Highlighting the importance of regulators in the city’s drainage network, Belayet Hossain said all 39 regulators are crucial for controlling the flow of rainwater and tidal water, especially during periods of intense rainfall and high tide.

He said not all regulators are currently functioning at their full operational capacity, which has prompted authorities to take immediate measures to improve their management and maintenance.

“As part of this initiative, the Bangladesh Army will assume responsibility for these regulators from Wednesday afternoon to ensure their proper operation and rapid response during emergencies,” he said.

The CDA chairman warned that strict action would be taken against any individual or institution found responsible for negligence that causes regulators or pumping stations to remain inoperative.

He expressed hope that military supervision would strengthen operational efficiency and significantly improve the city’s ability to discharge excess rainwater during heavy downpours.

Belayet Hossain also stressed that infrastructure development alone cannot completely solve the waterlogging crisis unless citizens become more aware of their role in maintaining the drainage system.

He said indiscriminate disposal of polythene bags, household waste, furniture and construction debris into drains, canals and waterways continues to obstruct the natural flow of water, worsening flooding conditions in many areas.

The CDA chairman urged residents to refrain from dumping waste into drainage channels and called for greater civic responsibility to protect public infrastructure.

He also emphasised the importance of cooperation among all service-providing agencies, including the Chattogram City Corporation, Chattogram WASA, CDA and the Bangladesh Army, to ensure effective implementation of flood mitigation measures.

Officials accompanying the inspection team visited canals, regulators and several waterlogging-prone areas across the city and reviewed the condition of drainage facilities.

During the visit, authorities reportedly issued several on-the-spot instructions aimed at improving water discharge and strengthening emergency response mechanisms.

Among those present during the inspection were Managing Director of Chattogram WASA Engineer Selim Mohammad Jane Alam, senior military officials and senior engineers of the CDA.

Officials expressed optimism that the involvement of the Bangladesh Army in managing the regulators would help accelerate water drainage and reduce the suffering of residents during future spells of heavy rainfall.

Waterlogging has remained one of Chattogram’s most persistent urban challenges for decades. However, authorities believe that continued infrastructure development and stronger institutional coordination could significantly improve the situation in the coming years.