After six failed attempts, CCC launches another Tk 30 million app
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
After launching apps in the past to prevent fuel theft and the embezzlement of holding taxes, the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) failed to keep any of them operational. City residents also did not benefit from those initiatives. Amid this backdrop, another app named Amader Chattogram has been developed at a cost of nearly Tk 30 million.
City Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain is scheduled to inaugurate the app at an event at the Institution of Engineers, Chattogram Center, on Saturday. There is already considerable discussion over how long the new app will remain operational, as the city corporation lacks the manpower needed to manage it.
An analysis of the app’s interface shows that it allows residents to submit complaints, including photographs, under 10 categories: roads, mosquito infestations, waste management, streetlights, drains and sewers, public toilets, illegal structures and waterlogging. A ‘Solution Counter’ will display live complaint statistics. The app also includes the emergency hotline ‘999,’ services for women and children, a school health card, applications for various certificates, and contact information for the mayor and councilors. The app was developed by information technology company Vento Tech and funded by Eastern Bank Limited. The cost is Tk 30 million.
Asked about the initiative, CCC Acting Chief Executive Officer Ashraful Amin said, “Through this app, immediate problems will be resolved, while areas that require new roads or foot overbridges will be included in future action plans. Through this single app, all civic problems can be solved from one place. It will not only solve problems but will also notify the complainant after the issue has been resolved. The mayor and all senior officials will monitor it through a dashboard.”
Acknowledging that managing the app would be challenging due to a manpower shortage, he said, “Work is underway to formulate a new staffing structure. Adequate manpower will be kept there.”
HTMS Became Ineffective Twice Due to Revenue Officials’ Reluctance
In February 2022, then-Mayor and Awami League leader Rezaul Karim Chowdhury introduced an online system for paying holding taxes and trade license fees. However, it failed to become effective due to a lack of publicity by the city corporation and the reluctance of officials and employees in the revenue department. The server remains operational, but holding taxes are still collected manually through traditional methods. There have been allegations of overcharging and harassment of residents. According to sources, these issues have also been highlighted in intelligence agency reports on multiple occasions. At least three people were previously dismissed for embezzling holding tax funds instead of depositing them into the city corporation’s treasury.
On condition of anonymity, a city corporation official said that if residents could pay taxes online from home, they would no longer need to visit tax collectors’ desks. As a result, many people’s regular sources of illegal income would be cut off. For this reason, they allegedly discourage residents from paying holding taxes online.
Evidence supporting this claim emerged from a complaint by a young man named Toyeb Islam. He applied for a trade license for his business at Revenue Circle-5 on June 12. The relevant official has reportedly delayed the process, citing a ‘server down’ issue. Asked about the matter, Hasan Osman Gani, Tax Officer (License) of Revenue Circle-5, said, “Applications have to be approved from Dhaka. Due to the server being down, many people are facing delays in getting their licenses.”
The crisis does not end there. Dhaka-based ATN and RK Software Limited is responsible for operating the automation system. The company is supposed to receive Tk 8.3 million annually. According to the agreement, the city corporation was supposed to pay Tk 33.2 million over four years. As payments have not been made, the online operation is now on the verge of being shut down.
Meanwhile, on Sept. 30, 2025, the city corporation signed an agreement with Eastern Bank to collect holding taxes. On Jan. 28, 2026, it signed another agreement with two companies, B-Track Solutions Limited and Mileage—to modernize and digitize the commercial holding tax collection system. However, the city corporation has not identified its commercial holdings, which are divided into two categories: government and private. Although agreements were signed on holding tax automation, none of the initiatives has seen the light of day.
Earlier, in 2012, former Mayor Monjur Alam also launched another Holding Tax Management System and developed a separate website. The app was created by S&T Trading at a cost of Tk 1.8 million. Former Mayor A J M Nasir Uddin later tried to implement it but failed.
On April 24, 2017, the citizen complaint call center (16104) was launched. The number became popular because of its prompt response. However, it was shut down in early 2020. On July 31 of the same year, another app related to city corporation services was launched. Due to nonpayment of bills, the developer company shut it down after only two years.
To prevent fuel theft from vehicles, then-Mayor A J M Nasir Uddin experimentally introduced the Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) in 2015. However, the pilot project never became fully operational and was shut down within six months. The initiative cost Tk 350,000.
Similarly, an initiative was taken to improve waste management operations and prevent sanitation workers from neglecting their duties by identifying their locations through mobile phones. For this purpose, SIM cards were distributed to 600 sanitation workers. The system improved sanitation activities and helped prevent negligence among workers through technological monitoring. However, that initiative was also shut down within a few months.
