City govt essential for planned development of Chattogram: CCC administrator

Online Desk

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Administrator Dr. Shahadat Hossain has said establishing a city government is essential to transform Chattogram into a planned, clean, green, healthy, safe and smart city.

He made the remarks as a discussant at a seminar organised by the Commonwealth Journalists Association, Bangladesh, at the World Trade Center in Chattogram on Friday.

Shahadat said the lack of an integrated mechanism for coordination and decision-making among government agencies had delayed the implementation of several development projects.

He said a city government was needed to bring urban planning, infrastructure development, land management, transport, environmental protection and civic services under a unified framework.

Describing Chattogram as the heart of Bangladesh's economy, the CCC administrator said the country's main seaport, industrial establishments, businesses, tourism and potential for international connectivity were centred around the city.

Despite its economic importance, the city had failed to fully utilise its potential, he said.

He identified poor coordination among service-providing agencies and lengthy administrative procedures for project approval and implementation as major obstacles to development.

When multiple agencies make separate decisions on urban development, ensuring coordinated and planned growth becomes difficult, he said, stressing the need for an effective city government.

He said infrastructure projects, including the World Trade Center, were part of efforts to strengthen the city's position in international trade.

He added that important discussions and decisions were also made around 2004 to develop Chattogram as the commercial capital, but the plans were not implemented with the expected momentum.