Anisur Rahman Khan :
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) restored a total of 2340 km of waterways by spending Tk 1617.02 crore in the last 10 years in spite of various obstacles including the recent coronavirus pandemic.
Though the government took up a 10-year project in July 2012 at a cost of Tk 1,923 crore to develop a total of 2,386 km of waterways by 2021, but the BIWTA completed 98 per cent work by June this year.
The government had taken up the dredging projects to restore the country’s 53 important rivers in two phases and to increase their navigability thereby keeping the waterways navigable round the year.
However, the main objective of the project was to bring the inland waterways and ferry routes of the country suitable for smooth movement of ferries, passenger launches, cargo and other vessels round the year.
The BIWTA has removed a total of 1030.95 lakh cubic meters of silts against target 1103.85 lakh cubic meters under the first phase of restoration of 24 important rivers’ project and brought 2340km waterways navigable round the year.
“At least 600 religious and educational institutions like primary schools, madrasha, mosques, temples, graveyard and play ground were developed and over 6500 acre of non-agricultural lands were turned into agricultural lands by utilising the dredge matterials,” Commodore Golam Sadeq, Chairman of BIWTA told The New Nation on Wednesday
Besides, 12 sheltering centres for the landless people have also been developed through dredge spoils too, he added.
“We have finally completed first phase and now working for second phase, which already started in Mymensingh and Rangpur divisions. Gradually we will be able to restore 10,000km of waterways before 2030as comiitted by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Water vessels could move in all weather of the restored rivers completed by the department,” he said in reply to a query.
He said that about Tk 300 crore out of total project cost of Tk 1923 crore so far been saved from the project, which is a big success of the BIWTA.
According to Saidur Rahman, Additional Chief Engineer (Dredging) of BIWTA, “The project was undertaken, as many of the country’s waterways have been suffering from lack of navigability with most of the rivers losing their capacity to contain water because of heavy siltation and construction of illegal structures on the riverbeds.”
The rivers under the project are Mongla Ghashiakhali Channel (MG Channel), Khogdon, Laukathi, Bhola Nala, Kirtonkhola, Titas, Surma, Baulai, Natun Nadi, Rakti, Raksha Nala, Mogra, Kangsha, Bhogai-Kangsha, Buri, Ichhamati, Karnatali, Palrodi, Dhaleswari, Kaliganga, Madhumati, Bhairab, Atrai, Dudhkumar, Old Brahmaputra and Arial Kha.
He said the MG channel became totally inoperative in 2011 but it was opened for operation in 2015 after the completion of dredging, Saidur Rahman said.
Now, 8-14 feet long vessels are frequently operating in the MG Channel, Rahman said, adding that the channel water reaches 12 feet during low-tide and 20 feet during high tide.
BIWTA has built a stadium on 12 acres of ‘khash’ land by filling it with dredged materials in Phulpur upazila in Mymensingh district.
“Besides, a playground has also been built in Cumilla’s Ramchandrapur with dredged materials. We have developed 50km long roads through dredge materials for the people in different areas,” he added.
The production of crops, ducks, fish and trading on waterways have been increased after the completion the dredging work, Rahman said.
Farmers are now using the river waters round the year for irrigation purposes.
Transportation of goods and other trades are cheaper than highways, he said, adding that the waterways would help reduce pressure and traffic jam in highways.
He further said new industries will be developed alongside the river if waterway’s facilities are developed.
