A 20-year master plan is being prepared by the government to restore life to the rivers surrounding capital Dhaka, by preventing their pollution, ridding them of illegal occupation, and long-term beautification. Work is already underway to remove illegal establishments along the rivers and build walkways, and through afforestation. Besides, the government plans to generate electricity from wastes and to take steps to close the sources of river pollution.
The master plan which also aims to increase the navigability of rivers while preventing river pollution and encroachment is currently in the final stages of formulation. The master plan is being prepared by reviewing the current situation of the rivers and canals of Dhaka and the surrounding districts. According to the draft plan, the water bodies will be developed in four steps, a 1-year crash programme, a short term plan of three years, a middle term plan of 5 years and a long term plan of 10 years.
According to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, around 113 acres of illegally occupied land belonging to rivers has already been regained as part of the process. In the first phase, 10,000 boundary pillars, 52-km walkways, 3 eco-parks and 19 jetties will be constructed on the banks of the rivers freed through eviction drives. The project will cost Tk 800 crore in the initial stage. Emphasis has been given to building eco-parks on the banks of the Buriganga and the Turag to attract tourists.
In the first stage of the plan, the rivers have to be dredged. The rivers have become shallow due to siltation of their beds and have to be brought back to their original shapes. The water is contaminated, it needs to be treated and sources of pollution shut permanently. We welcome the mega project and ask the government to be cautious so that the project is not gripped by corruption, cost overrun and time extension.
