The government has undertaken a mega project to excavate 178 rivers of the country to make around 10,500 kilometres of waterways, which have either dried up or disappeared, navigable by 2025.
The waterways were lost in decades due to thin flow of waters from the upper Himalayan ranges, natural sedimentation, encroachments and erosion of the embankment.
The project, costing Tk 50,000 crore, will be completed by 2025, said officials of the Ministry of Shipping.
One of the main components of the project is forestation on the banks of the rivers and adjoining areas where the sediment removed from the riverbeds will be deposited.
It is expected that plantation of myriad of trees in the project areas will enhance the forest coverage and greenery greatly, contributing to the protection of biodiversity.
According to government documents, the total forest area in the country is 2.6 million hectares, which is nearly 17.4 percent of the total land area.
A study by Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) found that 80 percent of the 300 major rivers in Bangladesh lack navigability.
The latest study by Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) discovered that 117 rivers are either dead or have lost navigability over the last three decades or more.
Such major rivers and their tributaries include the Brahamaputra, Padma, Meghna, Mahananda, Gorai, Titas, Gumti, Kushiara, Dhaleshwari, Bhairab, Shitalakkhya and Balu.
At present, the length of country’s inland waterways during the monsoon is about 24,000 kilometres and it diminishes to around 6,000 kilometres in dry seasons.
According to ministry sources, excavation work of 470 kilometres of waterways under the naval protocol of Bangladesh and India has started with joint funding. Under the scheme, 285 kilometres of Ashuganj-Jakiganj waterway of the Kalni and Kushiyara rivers and 185 kilometres of Sirajganj-Daikhawar waterways of the Jamuna river will be excavated.
Besides, the ministry sources said, the government has taken initiatives to build 39 different types of water vessels for different inland routes. In addition, hovercraft, also known as an air-cushion vehicle or ACV which is an amphibious craft capable of travelling over land, water, mud and other rough surfaces, will be introduced to facilitate transportation in rough waterways, especially in the coastal areas.
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury recently told Parliament that the government is working on the development of waterways.
An initiative has been taken to increase the waterways by more than 10,000 kilometres. When the work of this project will be completed, there will be a big change in the entire water communications system.
“We’re working on the implementation of the project with utmost importance,” he said.
He said, “Before 1980, the length of the country's waterways was 24,000 kilometres. But it came down to 6,000 kilometres due to negligence to the river routes, lack of proper planning, supervision and change in nature.”
Officials said the present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina excavated 600 kilometres of waterways in the last one decade since. As a result, the length of the waterway currently stands at 7,600 kilometres.
Work to excavate 10,000 kilometres of waterways in 178 more rivers across the country is underway, they said.
BIWTA sources said it has prepared a draft master plan to increase navigability of 10,500 km of waterways in the country by 2025. Costing at Tk 50,000 crore, in the draft plan of the project, priorities have been paid to 80 rivers of Haor, hill and southern areas, including more than 50 rivers in Barisal and Khulna divisions.
BIWTA sources said, recently a circular has been issued doing hydrographic survey before and after river dredging mandatory to keep records. In this circular, 16-point instructions have been given to maintain transparency in river dredging.
BIWTA hopes that if this huge task is implemented, the country's water communications system will be greatly improved. Besides, irrigation facilities and fish farming will be multiplied in crop production. Tourism industry will be developed as well.
Besides, a master plan is being prepared to free the rivers surrounding Dhaka from illegal occupiers and stop river pollution. As per the master plan, BIWTA will excavate these four rivers where necessary. These rivers will be widened where necessary and walkways will be constructed on the river banks.
According to ministry sources, earlier about 12,396 illegal structures have been evicted from the banks of the Buriganga, Turag and Balu rivers and 372.12 acres of land have been reclaimed from illegal encroachers. Besides, about 2,779 illegal structures have been demolished from the banks of the Shitalakkhya river in Narayanganj and 194 acres of land have been recovered.
Moreover, as part of a long-term plan to prevent future illegal occupation, the process of the construction of walkways and seating benches is underway. Accordingly, eco-parks will be created on the river banks while the river banks and guide walls will be constructed and tree plantation is going on.
Ashish Kumar Dey, General Secretary of the National Committee for the Protection of Shipping, Roads and Railways, said, "We want initiatives to be taken to increase waterways in the country. But due to various complications, the waterways are not being expanded. Conversely, waterways are declining every year.”
He said, “In many parts of the world, artificial waterways are being created to facilitate safe passenger and cargo transportation. Luckily, we have huge waterways which is a nature’s gift. Sadly, however, due to lack of maintenance and proper planning, we are not able to utilize the vast waterways.”