Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) has successfully completed significant drainage and road construction projects aimed at mitigating water-logging and enhancing pedestrian movement. The projects, costing approximately Taka 4.27 crore, included constructing a two-kilometre road, culverts, and railings.
Implemented under the “Drain Construction for Removing Water-Logging in Rajshahi City (Third Phase)” project, these efforts are part of a broader plan to establish an efficient drainage system and address existing constraints. Additionally, eight kilometres of road and 11 drainage systems were constructed to facilitate pedestrian movement and streamline waste removal from drains.
City Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton announced that around 75% of Rajshahi city is now almost free from water-logging following the project’s implementation. This development significantly improves the city’s physical infrastructure, aiming to boost working capacity and economic conditions.
Chief Engineer Nur Islam highlighted that this project is a continuation of the first and second phases, based on a 27-year drainage master plan. Under the Taka 193.29-crore project, construction of 93.40-km drains, including 67.75-km tertiary and 19.29-km secondary drains, is nearing completion, targeting extensive water-logging relief for the city.
The project also involved expanding four railway culverts, constructing 8.67-km approach roads, and acquiring two long-boom excavators and two rubber trucks. Improvements to the drainage system included removing narrow sections and increasing sewerage capacity by widening culverts and clearing silt.
Nur Islam noted that these infrastructure enhancements aim to develop a permanent and effective water sewerage system, significantly benefiting over 70% of the city’s population. Previous phases freed 54% of the city from water-logging, benefiting 60% of the population.
With 32.87-km drains constructed at Taka 23.07 crore under the first phase and 16.53-km drains at Taka 21.59 crore under the second phase, the RCC continues to develop its drainage master plan. Plans are underway to extend the drainage network to expanding areas in the future.
