Chattogram City Corporation Prioritizes Transparency and Revenue Reform to Achieve Financial Self-Reliance
Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), the administrative authority of Bangladesh’s second-largest city, is undertaking a major reform drive to become financially self-sufficient. Under the leadership of Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain, the new initiative places transparency, accountability, and disciplined governance at the center of city operations. The objective is clear: improve revenue efficiency, eliminate corruption, and strengthen institutional capacity so that the city can sustain itself without long-term dependency on external support.
Mayor Shahadat outlined the reform mission during a views-exchange meeting on Sunday, December 28, at the CCC headquarters in Tigerpass, Chattogram. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Local Government Division, including Joint Secretary Mohammad Samsul Haque, Senior Assistant Secretary Md. Shawkat Osman, and Assistant Secretary S.M. Humayun Kabir, alongside departmental heads of CCC.
This strategic shift comes at a crucial moment for Chattogram, a city that hosts the country’s largest port, key industrial zones, and nearly one million business establishments. However, despite its economic importance, CCC has historically struggled with inconsistent revenue collection, infrastructure pressure, and legacy issues involving mismanagement. The new administration aims to reverse this trajectory.
Targeting Corruption and Operational Irregularities
According to the Mayor, one of the first priorities after taking office was to investigate irregularities that occurred under previous administrations. A major case involved the manipulation of field books within the revenue department, enabling tax evasion worth approximately Tk 40 crore. In response, CCC suspended two revenue officers and relieved three others of their duties. Additionally, several employees from the sanitation department were dismissed for dereliction of duty.
These decisive measures signal a shift in administrative culture. Surprise inspections have become routine across ward offices and departmental units, ensuring employee attendance and accountability. Mayor Shahadat emphasized that direct monitoring is crucial to restoring public trust and improving service delivery for residents.
Rationalizing Tax Assessment and Revenue Collection
A key component of CCC’s financial strategy is the restructuring of its tax assessment framework. Many residential properties previously received irrational or inflated tax evaluations. To correct this, a standing review board meets regularly to scrutinize assessments and ensure fairness. Taxes are now being recalculated based on transparent criteria and verified documentation.
Commercial entities, however, will not receive concessions, as the Mayor maintains that businesses must fulfill their municipal obligations to support urban infrastructure and city maintenance.
A major issue highlighted by the Mayor is the disparity in revenue received from the Chattogram Port Authority. While CCC estimates an annual entitlement of Tk 264 crore in holding tax, current payments amount to only Tk 45 crore. A joint survey is underway to determine the accurate tax value, and Mayor Shahadat confirmed that there will be no negotiation regarding rightful dues.
This revenue gap has direct consequences. CCC currently subsidizes Tk 96 crore annually to operate education and healthcare facilities across the city. Increased and accurate revenue from large institutions would reduce the burden of public subsidies and improve service quality.
Road Damage and Infrastructure Losses from Heavy Transport
One of the most pressing challenges for CCC is infrastructure degradation caused by overweight heavy vehicles. Most roads in Chattogram are designed to support a maximum capacity of 10 tonnes. However, trucks transporting goods from the port regularly exceed this limit, carrying loads between 20 and 35 tonnes. This creates accelerated wear and tear, reducing a road’s expected lifespan from 3–5 years to significantly shorter durations.
As a result, CCC now spends Tk 400–500 crore annually on road repair and maintenance, representing a substantial financial strain. According to the Mayor, full revenue payment from the port and commercial stakeholders would enable CCC to expand road maintenance, ensure proper infrastructure planning, and streamline port operations.
Strategic Asset Management and Sustainable Development
To expand revenue capacity, CCC is focusing on underutilized and loss-making properties. Several strategic proposals are in development:
• Demolition of outdated buildings to construct modern multistory facilities
• Establishment of new commercial complexes and marketplaces
• Affordable housing projects for middle-income residents
• Underground markets designed to rehabilitate street vendors
• Tourism-centric development initiatives leveraging Chattogram’s coastal identity
These projects are intended to diversify CCC’s revenue streams and reduce dependency on external funding. The Mayor reaffirmed that self-reliance is essential to building a modern, resilient municipal government that can respond to the evolving needs of a rapidly growing metropolitan population.
Trade License Reform to Expand the Tax Base
Although an estimated one million business establishments operate in Chattogram, fewer than 150,000 currently hold valid trade licenses. This represents a vast untapped revenue pool. CCC is now conducting a citywide initiative to double the number of registered commercial entities.
To strengthen field enforcement, tax officers, sub-tax officers, and license inspectors have been equipped with identification vests and ID cards. Regular monitoring, target-driven collection, and ward-level field visits have been introduced to track compliance. Special attention has also been given to private coaching centers and tuition facilities, many of which have operated without proper registration despite generating substantial commercial revenue.
A Vision for a Financially Independent City
Mayor Shahadat concluded that Chattogram City Corporation must no longer remain dependent on others. “Our goal is to build CCC as a self-reliant and sustainable city government by strengthening our own assets and revenue management,” he stated.
For a city that sits at the heart of Bangladesh’s commercial engine, the stakes are high. The success of this reform agenda could serve as a nationwide example for modern municipal governance, turning Chattogram into a benchmark for coastal city management in South Asia.
Conclusion
The efforts underway in Chattogram represent a potentially transformative model for urban administration in Bangladesh. By tackling corruption, enforcing revenue compliance, and prioritizing infrastructure resilience, CCC is laying the groundwork for long-term financial stability. If successful, the city could unlock new economic potential, improve public services, and set a precedent for municipal reform across the country.
