Circular waterway will be possible if rivers around Dhaka are freed from encroachment and pollution, shipping minister says in Mohammadpur
Shipping, Road Transport and Bridges and Railways Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam has said the government has undertaken extensive activities to free the rivers around Dhaka from encroachment and pollution and to make the riverbanks people-friendly, environment-friendly and suitable for tourism. If these activities can be implemented quickly, it will be possible to establish a circular water communication system around Dhaka, he said.
He made the remarks on Friday morning while taking part in the BIWTA Walkway Run-2026 programme in Mohammadpur in the capital, organised by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority. At the event he joined regular walkers and marathon participants.
The minister said an environment suitable for people to walk is being created while protecting both sides of the rivers. Walkways have already been built in various places. Some places have incomplete walkway connections, or missing links, and initiatives have been taken to build those as well.
He said they want to build the riverbanks in such a way that people can walk regularly, spend time in a clean environment and enjoy the beauty of the river in their leisure time.
The minister noted that direct and indirect public participation is very important in protecting rivers and the environment. He said BIWTA is implementing various initiatives so that people become conscious and responsible towards rivers.
On freeing rivers from encroachment and pollution, the minister said an extensive work plan has been adopted to free the rivers around Dhaka. Building walkways on the riverbanks is making it possible to preserve the river boundaries. At the same time, the infrastructure is playing a positive role in controlling the tendency to dump litter on the banks. Walkway construction remains pending in some areas, and there are plans to complete those quickly as well.
He also said about 426 spots have been identified as sources of river pollution. Chemical waste, liquid waste and solid waste are entering the rivers at these places. Coordinated activities involving the Ministry of Environment and Forests, BIWTA, the city corporations, WASA and other agencies have been taken to control the sources of waste and stop waste from entering the rivers. The activities are ongoing.
Outlining plans to expand vessel movement and communications on the rivers around Dhaka, the minister said the government wants to develop rivers not only as a means of communication but also as an attractive field for tourism and recreation. To that end, initiatives are being taken to launch new river routes, add modern and attractive vessels and build new river stations and ghats. There are plans to build these ghats and stations in coordination with the road communication system.
The minister said that although initiatives were taken in the past to launch passenger transport on a circular waterway around Dhaka, the expected success did not come. One of the main reasons was that travelling by water took more time than by road, and there was a lack of a favourable environment for passengers because of river pollution.
He said initiatives have now been taken to remove these obstacles through pollution control, freeing rivers from encroachment, adding modern vessels and developing river stations and ghats.
Expressing optimism, the minister said that if the ongoing activities can be implemented quickly, a circular water communication system can be established around Dhaka. This will create new opportunities to travel from one place to another. At the same time, river-centred tourism and recreation activities will also expand.
Shipping Ministry Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan, BIWTA Chairman Muhidul Islam and senior officials of the ministry and the agency were present at the event.
