The government has set up a 19-member committee to strengthen coordination among agencies battling chronic waterlogging in the port city of Chattogram, the local government division announced on Thursday.

The Chattogram City Corporation mayor will serve as the convener, with the city corporation’s chief executive serving as member secretary.

Other members include the commander of the Bangladesh Army’s 34 Engineer Brigade, the managing director of Chattogram WASA, the additional divisional commissioner, the district administrator, an additional police commissioner for traffic, and officials drawn from the Chattogram Development Authority, the port authority, the Power Development Board, Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company, the Water Development Board, together with a canal and waterlogging specialist.

The committee’s mandate covers keeping the city’s canals and drainage channels functional throughout the year, eliminating waterlogging and tightening coordination among the multiple agencies responsible for development and service delivery, the notification said. It will hold regular meetings to review the progress of drainage projects, monitor public-interest works and may make recommendations to the government when necessary.