CHATTOGRAM, June 6: The Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) is set to finalise a new 25-year master plan by coming December, aiming to transform metropolitan Chattogram into a modern commercial capital through planned urban expansion, improved infrastructure and sustainable environmental management.
The project was originally scheduled for completion in June this year, but the deadline has been extended by six months.
Project Director M Abu Issa Ansari said the draft master plan has already been completed, with the project achieving about 85 per cent physical progress and 59.65pc financial progress.
The project, approved on May 6, 2020, officially commenced in December 2021 following the appointment of a consultancy firm. Of the total allocation of Tk 35.87 crore, about Tk 21.40 crore has already been spent.
The proposed Chattogram Metropolitan Master Plan (CMMP) 2025-2050 covers an area of 1,255 square kilometres and seeks to expand the city nearly fivefold to accommodate future growth.
A key feature of the plan is the development of 11 satellite towns and six industrial zones in surrounding upazilas, including Anwara, Patiya and Hathazari, to ease pressure on the city centre while creating specialised industrial and commercial hubs.
As Bangladesh's principal centre of trade, commerce and industry, Chattogram has experienced rapid urbanisation, population growth and mounting infrastructure challenges. The CMMP aims to address these issues through an integrated and forward-looking development strategy.
To tackle the city's chronic waterlogging problem, the plan proposes the rehabilitation and cleaning of about 125km of canals and nearly 594km of reinforced concrete drains to ensure uninterrupted water flow.
Environmental conservation has been given special priority under the plan. All hills within the city area have been designated as ecologically sensitive zones, while areas with slopes exceeding 30pc have been proposed as no-development zones where construction will be prohibited.
The plan also adopts a zero-tolerance policy against hill cutting and includes afforestation programmes using native tree species in degraded hill areas.
To improve transport connectivity and logistics, particularly for industries on the southern bank of the Karnaphuli River, the CMMP proposes two new bridges in addition to the existing tunnel and Kalurghat Bridge. One bridge will connect directly to the Port Link Road, while the other will link Airport Road with Sheikh Mujib Road.
These connections are expected to facilitate cargo movement from key industrial zones, including the Korean EPZ, the Chinese EPZ in Anwara and the upcoming Matarbari deep-sea port.
The CDA has also prepared an Anwara Action Area Plan to guide industrial and urban development around the proposed commercial EPZ. In addition, it plans to divide the city into six strategic administrative zones to improve service delivery and decentralise governance.
The new master plan will replace the 1996-2020 plan and incorporate lessons from its successes and shortcomings, alongside the principles of the Delta Plan and disaster management. It will also include measures for waterlogging control, protection of hills and water bodies, preservation of parks and playgrounds, development of recreational facilities, and implementation of major projects such as the Metrorail, Elevated Expressway, Karnaphuli Tunnel and river protection initiatives.
