Govt plans circular water transport system around Dhaka: Rabiul

Shipping, Road Transport and Bridges, and Railways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Friday said the government has undertaken extensive programmes to free the rivers around Dhaka from encroachment and pollution and develop their banks as environment-friendly, people-friendly and tourism-friendly areas.
He said a circular water transport system around Dhaka could be introduced if the ongoing programmes were implemented quickly.
The minister made the remarks while joining regular walkers and marathon participants at the BIWTA Walkway Run 2026, organised by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) in Mohammadpur in the capital.
He said walkways had already been built at different locations along riverbanks, while initiatives had been taken to complete missing links and extend the facilities to other areas.
Stressing public participation, he said people’s involvement was essential to protecting rivers and the environment. He said the BIWTA was implementing various initiatives to raise public awareness and encourage responsible behaviour.

On river pollution, the minister said around 426 sources had been identified, from where chemical, liquid and solid waste was being discharged into rivers. Measures to control these sources were under way in coordination with the Ministry of Environment and Forests, city corporations, WASA and other agencies, he added.
He said the government also planned to introduce new water routes, modern vessels, and river stations and terminals integrated with the road transport network.
Previous attempts to introduce circular passenger services had failed to achieve the expected success, mainly due to longer travel times and river pollution, he noted. However, steps were now being taken to address these challenges, he said.
The minister expressed optimism that the initiatives would restore the vitality of the rivers around Dhaka, expand river-based tourism and recreation, and create a cleaner environment for city residents.
Shipping Ministry Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan, BIWTA Chairman Muhidul Islam and senior officials were present.