The dredging project of Shubhadda Khal will help to minimise the traffic congestion in Dhaka, said State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid.

He said during a visit to see the progress of the project worth Tk 317.59 crore on Saturday.

"If the dredging project of the rivers and canals are successfully implemented and made navigable for water transports, we can significantly reduce traffic congestion and save money in transportation of goods," said the minister.

"The canal is a waterway that connects the Buriganga and Dhaleshwari rivers. Once it was the centre of a commercial hub," he said.

In the course of time, the canal became silted and polluted, containing stagnant water, he said.

During the minister's visit, M. Fazlul Haque, the Member Secretary of the Planning Commission, and Nazmul Ahsan, the Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, were present along with others.