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Every spell of rain brings waterlogging to Cumilla, with some roads submerged under knee-deep water and others clogged with long queues of vehicles. Narrow roads, growing traffic, unplanned construction and inadequate drainage have turned everyday commuting into a persistent struggle for city residents.
Now, however, residents are hoping for a change with the launch of the Cumilla Development Authority (CUDA), which aims to curb unplanned urbanisation and build a modern, well-planned and liveable city.
The authority has already appointed its first chairman and begun office operations, raising hopes that a new chapter in Cumilla’s urban development is about to begin.
Cumilla City Corporation was established on July 10, 2011, with residents expecting a significant improvement in civic services. But despite the city’s expansion in population and size, many basic problems remain unresolved.
The city, covering around 53 square kilometres with 27 wards, continues to face severe waterlogging, traffic congestion, narrow roads, unplanned construction, inadequate drainage and insufficient civic amenities.
Residents say various development projects have been implemented separately over the years, but the lack of a long-term, coordinated urban plan has often resulted in new problems emerging in one area as another is developed.
Waterlogging and traffic congestion, in particular, require integrated solutions rather than isolated projects, they said.
Residents therefore see the new development authority as an opportunity to address Cumilla’s longstanding urban problems through comprehensive planning.
Farha Imdad Impa, a resident of Medina Mosque Road, told Sarabangla that residents were happy about the formation of the authority and hoped it would develop the Old Gomti River along the lines of Dhaka’s Hatirjheel.
“We want this project to be implemented quickly. Cumilla has no proper recreational place for residents. Such a project would provide people with a place to walk, relax and enjoy themselves,” she said.
Zakir Hossain Kajal, a resident of the Race Course area, said the authority should ensure that new buildings are approved with future urban needs in mind.
“Cumilla has many large, tall buildings, but how many of them were built considering the city’s future needs? The development authority should consider the future before approving new buildings. It should also find a permanent solution to waterlogging,” he said.
Media professionals also see the authority’s launch as a positive development.
Khaled Saifullah, Cumilla bureau chief of Now Television, said residents were hopeful that coordination between the city corporation and the development authority would help resolve longstanding problems.
“Cumilla is an old city with a strong economy, culture and educational heritage. But it has become densely populated, while many of its roads remain narrow. The authority must work on widening roads where possible and reducing traffic congestion,” he said.
Residents expect the authority to focus not only on infrastructure but also on road management, modern drainage, waterlogging prevention, preservation of open spaces, environmental protection and improved civic services.
Urban experts say a city cannot be made liveable for future generations simply by addressing its current problems. Planning must take into account the needs of the next several decades.
Residential and commercial zones, road widths, parks and playgrounds, drainage networks and other essential infrastructure should all be incorporated into an integrated master plan, they said.
CUDA Chairman Utbatal Bari Abu said the authority was still in its infancy and was currently working on recruiting personnel.
“The Cumilla Development Authority is like a newly born child. We are now working on recruiting manpower. After that, we will work with everyone according to a plan to build a modern, beautiful, clean and liveable Cumilla,” he told Sarabangla.
He said the authority wanted to address the lack of development in the city in recent years and transform Cumilla into a modern urban centre.
With the authority now beginning its journey, the key question for Cumilla is whether it can finally break the cycle of waterlogging, traffic congestion and unplanned urbanisation.
For residents, the new institution represents more than another government agency—it is a potential pathway out of decades of urban woes. The challenge now is to turn that expectation into concrete, long-term action.