The Ministry of Local Government has decided to form two committees to demarcate the boundaries of canals in Dhaka as part of ongoing efforts to restore the capital’s water bodies and improve urban drainage.
An emergency meeting was held on Wednesday at the Local Government Division conference room at the Secretariat to determine the boundaries of canals under the jurisdiction of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
The meeting followed directives issued at a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister on 8 June.
State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam attended the meeting as the chief guest.
The meeting reviewed the progress of ongoing canal excavation and restoration works aimed at ensuring smooth water flow in the capital, along with existing challenges and possible solutions.
It was decided that two separate committees will be formed under the supervision of DNCC and DSCC to complete the demarcation of canal boundaries. Representatives from DNCC, DSCC, RAJUK, Dhaka District Administration, the Engineering Brigade of the Bangladesh Army, and other relevant agencies will be included in the committees.
Referring to the Prime Minister’s commitment to building a clean, environment-friendly and livable Dhaka, the state minister said the city’s canals, lakes and other water bodies are essential for environmental protection, sustainable urban water management and reducing waterlogging.
He stressed the need for swift cleaning and restoration of canals ahead of the upcoming monsoon season to ensure proper rainwater flow.
He also assured that the ministry would provide necessary financial support, manpower and administrative assistance for the initiative.
Mir Shahe Alam said proper demarcation is the first and most crucial step for restoring Dhaka’s canals and addressing waterlogging.
He noted that differences in canal boundaries across various maps and the involvement of multiple agencies have made simultaneous implementation challenging. However, he said coordinated efforts would make progress possible.
In this context, it was decided to resolve complications related to the expansion of Baishteki Khal and Kallyanpur Retention Pond as pilot projects, which will then be developed further.
He added that lessons learned from these pilot initiatives, including coordination mechanisms and implementation methods, would be applied to the restoration of other canals in the capital, helping to assess ground realities and support long-term planning.
Senior officials of the Local Government Division attended the meeting, along with administrators and senior officials from DNCC and DSCC, Dhaka District Administration, assistant commissioners (land), and other concerned agencies.
