CCC Mayor Shahadat Hossain inspects drain cleaning drive, urges public awareness to reduce Chattogram waterlogging. Photo BSS

CHATTOGRAM, April 23, 2026 (BSS) - Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain today said cleaning drives alone cannot solve waterlogging, stressing that greater public awareness is essential to ensure sustainable results.

He said the city belongs to everyone and it is the citizens' moral duty to safeguard canals, drains and reservoirs.

The mayor made the remarks while inspecting an ongoing month-long drain cleaning programme in different areas of the city, including from Ispahani area of Lalkhan Bazar ward to MES College and from Al-Amin Hospital to AK Khan Gate in North Pahartali ward.

He instructed officials to prioritise areas that experienced severe waterlogging during the previous monsoon and continue monitoring until the situation improves.

Dr Shahadat also called on local representatives to support residents and raise awareness, warning that illegal occupation and filling of drains worsen waterlogging.

Officials present included Chief Conservancy Officer Captain Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Regional Executive Officer Abhishek Das, Public Relations and Protocol Officer Aziz Ahmed, Malaria and Mosquito Control Officer Md Sharful Islam Mahi, Deputy Chief Cleaning Officer Pranab Kumar Sharma, Mayor's Personal Assistant Ziaur Rahman Zia and Maruful Haque Chowdhury (Maruf).