The government has initiated plans to introduce a water bus service across a 110-kilometre circular waterway as part of a broader strategy to restore Dhaka’s river ecology and tackle systemic pollution.
Presided over by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the decision was finalised during a high-level meeting held on Sunday at the Cabinet Division’s special conference room in Secretariat.
The session focused on making the waterways surrounding the capital fully operational while considering proposals from interested private companies to manage the water bus operations.
This renewed effort follows a review of the circular waterway project, which reportedly incurred a loss of Tk57 crore over a 10-year period during previous Awami League regime.
To ensure the environmental integrity of the four rivers surrounding Dhaka, the government has also taken steps to shut down 424 identified points that are currently contributing to river pollution.
During the meeting, Tarique issued several directives to relevant authorities to ensure long-term sustainability of the waterways, including the improvement of drainage systems and preservation of natural flow and navigability of the rivers.
The prime minister directed that various species of trees be planted along the walkways constructed beside the rivers to protect the environment and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the riverbanks.
Shaikh Rabiul Alam, minister for Road Transport and Bridges, Railways, and Shipping, briefed the media on 110km plan following the conclusion of the meeting.
Other key attendees included Shaikh Faridul Islam, state minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change; Md Shafiqul Islam Khan, administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation; Md Abdus Salam, administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation; and Atiqur Rahman Rumon, prime minister’s additional press secretary, alongside senior officials from various ministries and organisations.
