CDA to raze five hills along Bayezid-Faujdarhat link road to prevent landslide
However, the project has been marked by delays, cost overruns, and environmental damage, especially due to the razing of 16 hills to make way for the road
The Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) is awaiting final approval from the Department of Environment (DoE) to raze five hills in an effort to prevent landslides along the Bayezid-Faujdarhat Link Road, a project that has faced significant environmental criticism since its inception.
The road, construction of which began in 1997, was intended to improve connectivity between the Bayezid Bostami and Faujdarhat areas, ease traffic congestion, and promote development in underdeveloped areas of the city.
However, the project has been marked by delays, cost overruns, and environmental damage, especially due to the razing of 16 hills to make way for the road.
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The construction removed 10.30 lakh cubic metres of earth from these 16 hills, creating dangerously steep, near-vertical slopes. These 90-degree cliffs are highly susceptible to landslides, particularly during the monsoon season.
Several landslides have already occurred, raising serious safety concerns for commuters and residents in nearby areas. A recent landslide on 14 September has once again drawn attention to the risks posed by these steep cliffs.
Environmentalists and officials have criticised the CDA for failing to assess the potential damage the project would cause. This lack of oversight has endangered the surrounding environment and led to the imposition of a hefty fine on the CDA.
The DoE fined the CDA over Tk10.38 crore for violating hill management regulations and for cutting more hills than originally approved.
In response, the CDA applied for permission to cut an additional 3.32 lakh cubic metres of earth to reduce the risks posed by the steep cliffs. CDA has proposed razing five particularly dangerous hills along the road in an attempt to address the growing danger of landslides.
The CDA estimates that the de-risking project will cost around Tk8 crore. Once approval is granted, the CDA intends to begin work immediately to make the road safer for long-term use.
However, the DoE has yet to approve this request, further delaying necessary safety measures.
CDA Chief Engineer Kazi Hasan Bin Shams said that these five hills present the greatest threat and are the focus of their de-risking efforts.
"The CDA plans to reduce the steepness of the slopes, construct retaining walls to provide structural support, install geo-bags to prevent soil erosion, and plant trees to help stabilise the hillsides and prevent further landslides," he said.
To guide these efforts, the CDA has formed an expert committee, which includes professors from Chittagong University, the Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, and representatives from the Roads and Highways Department, the DoE, and the CDA itself.
This committee has developed a detailed hill management plan that outlines the necessary steps to stabilise the hills and prevent further environmental damage.
The plan's design and drawings have already been approved, and the CDA is now awaiting final clearance from the DoE to begin work.
Masud Iqbal Md Shamim, director of Environmental Clearance at the DoE, confirmed that the CDA's application to raze the five hills and construct retaining walls has been forwarded to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change for approval.
"If the ministry grants approval, the CDA will be allowed to proceed with the project under strict conditions designed to minimise environmental harm," he said.
This initiative comes after years of complications, which have caused the overall cost of the Bayezid-Faujdarhat Link Road project to rise significantly from the original Tk33.81 crore budget in 1999 to Tk320 crore by the time the road was opened in 2020.
Despite these challenges, the Bayezid-Faujdarhat Link Road is considered a crucial piece of infrastructure for Chattogram. It provides a vital connection between the Dhaka-Chattogram highway and the city's industrial and residential areas.
The road is expected to boost economic development in the region by improving access to underdeveloped areas, facilitating industrial growth, and easing traffic congestion.
The CDA's current efforts to address the landslide risks reflect a shift towards more responsible infrastructure development, but the long delays, increased costs, and environmental damage caused by earlier decisions highlight the need for better planning and stricter oversight in future projects.
