Anisur Rahman Khan :
The government has a plan to restore 10,000 kilometers of waterways with a view to increasing the navigability, protection of flora and fauna, flood control, prevention of erosion and development of drainage system by dredging the country’s rivers.
The ministry of shipping has taken up several projects under capital dredging, of which many are completed or about to be completed.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has already taken up a mega project of Tk 4,489 crore to dredge the country’s waterways and infrastructure development.
A total of 35 different sizes of cutter suction dredgers, 161 auxiliary vessels, excavators and 23 pontoons will be collected under the project.
Besides, a training institute in Narayanganj, four-dredger based in Gaibandha, Sylhet, Cox’s Bazar and Kishoreganj will be developed to decentralize dredging works in the country, Chief Engineer (Dredging) of BIWTA MA Matin said this while talking to The New Nation.
“As part of the project, we are constructing 11 dredgers in different docks. Of them, 5 dredgers are being constructed by Karnaphuli Ship Builders Ltd, 4 at Khulna Shipyard and two at Ananda Shipyard,” he said.
Project director, who is also the chief engineer (Dredging) of BIWTA MA Matin, said, “We are constructing 28-inch cutter suction dredger, which is first ever in the government sector. It will expedite the dredging work in large scale to dredge the country’s rivers.”
“The BIWTA has now 45 dredgers with capacity to dredge four crore cubic meters annually. Once 35 dredgers are constructed, it would be able to dredge 3.25 crore cubic meters additionally a year,” he added.
According to Chief Engineer (Dredging), over 2000 kilometers of waterways have so far been restored under 53 important river restoration projects.
The government has taken steps to procure 35 dredgers and auxiliary vessels to meet the demand by increasing dredging capacity of BIWTA to 3.25 crore cubic meters.
“The government had a target to develop 8000 kilometers of inland waterways through dredging 100 rivers aiming at restoring round-the-year navigability. Once the rivers are dredged, it would help make the
inland waterways and ferry routes of the country suitable for smooth movement of ferries, launches, cargo vessels and other vessels round the year,” Matin said.
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.
“The waterways are safe, environment friendly and cheaper than road communications. Besides, farmers could irrigate their crop fields and fishermen easily could cultivate fishes round the year. Bangladesh will be stronger economically once the river ways are navigable round the year,” Matin said in reply to a query.
He further said new industries will be developed alongside the river if waterway’s facilities are developed.
The project implementation period has been fixed between 2018 and 2023 and project cost is Tk 4489 crore three lakh and 42 thousand.
